Jehovah's Witnesses: Difference between revisions
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Elders take the lead in congregational matters, particularly in religious instruction and spiritual counseling, whereas the ministerial servants assist elders in a limited administrative capacity, and they and other Witnesses 'in good standing' often perform the majority of operational tasks for congregation meetings. |
Elders take the lead in congregational matters, particularly in religious instruction and spiritual counseling, whereas the ministerial servants assist elders in a limited administrative capacity, and they and other Witnesses 'in good standing' often perform the majority of operational tasks for congregation meetings. |
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Witnesses do not consider elders to be clergy, though their service includes pastoral activity that clergy provide in other Christian denominations. All baptized Witnesses are considered ordained ministers |
Witnesses do not consider elders to be clergy, though their service includes pastoral activity that clergy provide in other Christian denominations. All baptized Witnesses are considered to be ordained ministers, and are obligated to provide religious instruction to others. Spiritually mature Witnesses (men and women alike) are exhorted to the counselling of less-mature Witnesses. They may be assigned a newer publisher to assist in ministry, and may be asked to conduct a personal Bible study with another Witness who is spiritually troubled or weak. Males are encouraged to reach out for 'privileges of service' such as becoming elders. Elders are said to be worthy of "double honor", but are held to a higher standard as overseers than other baptized "publishers", and are subject to additional discipline including removal. An elder may also be stood down from his position if members of his household are not in "good standing".<!--Note on grammar: when quotation marks are used to identify a written or spoken quotation, punctuation belongs *inside* the quotes. However, when quotations marks are used to indicate a special term, punctuation marks belong *outside* the quotes unless they are part of the special term.--> |
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Jehovah's Witnesses believe the role of the Governing Body corresponds to that of those who met in the Council of Jerusalem, guided by [[Holy Spirit]] and directed by Jesus. The description of the [[Council of Jerusalem]] in the [[Acts of the Apostles]] is often used as an example of how God had a "visible organization" in the first century. From this they reason that God therefore has an organization today. |
Jehovah's Witnesses believe the role of the Governing Body corresponds to that of those who met in the Council of Jerusalem, guided by [[Holy Spirit]] and directed by Jesus. The description of the [[Council of Jerusalem]] in the [[Acts of the Apostles]] is often used as an example of how God had a "visible organization" in the first century. From this they reason that God therefore has an organization today. |
Revision as of 09:58, 26 December 2005
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Jehovah's Witnesses are members of an international religious denomination who identify themselves as Christian and number over six million. Their headquarters are in New York, USA. It is an international organization known for its extensive preaching and publishing activities, with The Watchtower and Awake! religious magazines and the "New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures" being the most prominent examples.
Origins
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that some time after the death of the last apostle, the Church gradually diverged, in a "Great Apostasy", from the original teachings of Jesus in several major points. Influenced by Restorationism, they believe their faith is a continually improving, imperfect restoration of First Century Christianity. An example in The Watchtower states: "It was the 1900-year-old 'faithful and discreet slave,' [parable--Matthew 24:45] the old Christian congregation, that was entrusted with this precious Kingdom service. . . obedient in its centuries-old commission to be witnesses in the earth . . . the matured 'slave' as represented by a remnant now stood ready for new assignments of service."[1] They teach that this new assignment occurred in 1919 in fulfilment of scripture. Jehovah's Witnesses feel that true understanding of the scriptures began to be reassembled by Charles Taze Russell and his associates when they formed a Bible study group in the 1870's in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, and had until then been imperfectly represented since the Great Apostasy by a number of historical Christian groups.
From their beginnings, the "Bible Students" as they were known, focused their evangelizing work on proclaiming that Christ's Second Presence had begun invisibly in 1874. As part of the dawning of the Millennium, Christ was believed to have been enthroned as King in 1878, and the destruction of religious organizations and governments was expected by the year 1914, to be followed by the establishment of a world-wide paradise. Though their interpretation of prophetic dates has changed through the years, eschatology has remained a major focus. To this day, based on their understanding of Bible chronology, they believe that Armageddon is near, and that these are the "End Times", which drives the urgency in their preaching work.
Born into a Presbyterian family, Russell had nearly lost his faith until it was rekindled by contact with some Second Adventists (one of the spiritual heirs of the Millerites). Adventist ministers Jonas Wendell, George Storrs and George Stetson were early influences. In 1876 Russell met Nelson H. Barbour and subsequently adopted Barbour's understanding of biblical chronology. Russell provided financial backing for Barbour and became co-editor of Barbour's magazine Herald of the Morning. Breaking with Barbour in 1879 over the concept of substitutionary atonement, Russell soon began publishing his own magazine Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence. Known as "Pastor Russell", he formed a legal entity which developed into the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania in 1881, and in 1884 it was incorporated with Russell as president. Over several years, many millions of copies of Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence were distributed in several languages to proclaim Christ's presence and the dawn of his Millennium. In addition, his six-volume work, originally entitled Millennial Dawn but later changed to Studies in the Scriptures, established the fundamental doctrines derived from their Bible study. (As a consequence, the Bible Students were sometimes called "Millennial Dawnists".) In 1914 Russell founded the International Bible Students Association in Great Britain.
Russell died in 1916, and in the following year, the movement was divided by schisms due to significant doctrinal changes. Those who rejected the changes in organization and doctrine became known as the Associated Bible Students, referring to themselves as simply "Bible Students" to this day. In 1918, a Bible Student convention was held independently of the Watchtower Society. At the second convention, a few months later, the Pastoral Bible Institute was founded and began publishing "The Herald of Christ’s Kingdom". The magazine continues to be published today. By 1928 nearly 75% of Bible Students had fled from the changes in place by Pastor Russell´s successor.
In 1931, while Russell's successor, Joseph Franklin Rutherford (often referred to as "Judge Rutherford"), was president of the Watch Tower Society, those who maintained their association with the Society adopted the name "Jehovah's Witnesses", based on Isaiah 43:10 which reads, in part: "'You are my witnesses,' is the utterance of Jehovah..." (New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures).
Under Rutherford, Jehovah's Witnesses experienced rapid growth. Rutherford was known for bold rhetoric. In his preaching, he coined the phrase "Religion is a snare and a racket," heavily denouncing the Catholic Church and Christendom generally, modern Judaism and national governments. Under his leadership, the Society developed a legal staff (which is utilized to this day), and battled successfully in US and Canadian courts to establish their rights to preach their religion. These legal battles resulted in significant improvements in freedom of speech and religion in the laws of both countries. (See, e.g., Cantwell v. State of Connecticut, Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire, West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette.)
Under the leadership of later Presidents, Jehovah's Witnesses have developed a more sophisticated organizational and leadership structure, as well as changed some of their beliefs.
Membership
As of August 2004, Jehovah's Witnesses have a practicing membership of more than 6.5 million, according to data reported in the Annual Worldwide Statistics at the Authorized Site of the Office of Public Information of Jehovah's Witnesses. The site states: "While other religious groups count their membership by occasional or annual attendance, this figure reflects only those who are actively involved in the public Bible educational work." Jehovah's Witnesses have a custom of counting their membership by 'Lands' rather than by countries, indicating separate statistics for regions administered by other countries, such as Alaska, Hawaii, and Taiwan.
These statistics are based on the number of "active members". To be classed as an active member (or publisher), an individual who has first been approved as a publisher must serve at least one hour per month in the preaching work, or 15 minutes per month for elderly members and those otherwise physically restricted. Figures for time spent per month are reported by each publisher and submitted monthly to the Society. In 2004, these reports indicated a total of 1.3 billion hours. Page 1, 2, 3, 4
In the United States, an academic study at CUNY based on a telephone survey (American Religious Identification Survey) was conducted in 2001 and estimated there to be 1.331 million adults in the U.S. who self-identify as Jehovah's Witnesses (2001)[2]. Jehovah's Witnesses report over 1 million active publishers in the United States, but because this includes minors, it is not directly comparable to the ARIS numbers. In 1990, a larger but less detailed telephone survey based study (NSRI) at CUNY reported 1.38 million adults in the U.S. who self-identified as Jehovah's Witnesses. While this might indicate a slow decline in U.S. identification with the group, there was an increase in active U.S. publishers over this period. ARIS notes the survey did not cover non-English speakers and small groups with a high proportion of recent immigrant members were likely undercounted. Announced U.S. Witness convention schedules for 2005 include 75 non-English conventions of 227 total. Most increase in membership each year is due to an influx of non-English speaking individuals, with a rapid increase in foreign language congregations being established throughout the country.
Jehovah's Witnesses have a small active presence in most countries and are the second or third largest religious group in many countries with a dominant religion. In no country are they a large part of the population, however. Brazil and Mexico are the only countries other than the U.S. where the number of active Witness publishers exceeds 0.5 million. The highest proportion of Witnesses in a country of substantial size is in Zambia, where 1% are active Witness publishers. Growth in most developed countries is slow or negative in recent years but is offset by rapid growth in less developed lands, particularly the former Communist bloc and Latin America.
Jehovah's Witnesses commemorate the Memorial of Christ's death (also known as the Lord's Evening Meal) annually. According to the February 1, 2006 issue of The Watchtower, worldwide attendance at the 2005 celebration of the Memorial was 16,383,333, slightly lower than the 2004 attendance of 16,760,607. This figure includes not only publishers, but inactive members, relatives, visitors and interested persons. In the U.S., 2.3 million people were present. In Zambia over 570 thousand attended, or 1 person for every 22 in the population. Of over 16 million in attendance worldwide, only 8,524 persons partook of the memorial emblems of unleavened bread and wine. These are those who profess to be anointed ones based on their interpretation of Revelation 14:1.[3]
Organizational structure
Main article: Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses
Jehovah's Witnesses are currently led by a small, ecclesiastical Governing Body. The Governing Body (indirectly through the departments of its various legal organizations) directs the operation of the 111 branches spread throughout the world [4]. Each branch has appointed overseers who travel among various local congregations, spending a week with each and giving spiritual encouragement through talks and one-on-one time spent with members in their public ministry. Within each local congregation, appointed elders organize the congregation's public ministry, and the content and schedule of their five weekly meetings, based on publications and precedents set by the Governing Body. They also recommend, via a vote of the elder body, "spiritually mature" baptized male members of the congregation for the positions of elder or ministerial servant, requiring the approval of higher leadership. This top-down leadership is referred to by the Witnesses as "theocratic". The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses makes decisions by a 2/3 vote. Therefore, no one member asserts any more spiritual insight than any other member of the Governing Body, nor has any more spiritual insight than anyone else in the organization. No one individual makes decisions. (Raymond Franz, "Crisis of Conscience, p. 163)
Elders take the lead in congregational matters, particularly in religious instruction and spiritual counseling, whereas the ministerial servants assist elders in a limited administrative capacity, and they and other Witnesses 'in good standing' often perform the majority of operational tasks for congregation meetings.
Witnesses do not consider elders to be clergy, though their service includes pastoral activity that clergy provide in other Christian denominations. All baptized Witnesses are considered to be ordained ministers, and are obligated to provide religious instruction to others. Spiritually mature Witnesses (men and women alike) are exhorted to the counselling of less-mature Witnesses. They may be assigned a newer publisher to assist in ministry, and may be asked to conduct a personal Bible study with another Witness who is spiritually troubled or weak. Males are encouraged to reach out for 'privileges of service' such as becoming elders. Elders are said to be worthy of "double honor", but are held to a higher standard as overseers than other baptized "publishers", and are subject to additional discipline including removal. An elder may also be stood down from his position if members of his household are not in "good standing".
Jehovah's Witnesses believe the role of the Governing Body corresponds to that of those who met in the Council of Jerusalem, guided by Holy Spirit and directed by Jesus. The description of the Council of Jerusalem in the Acts of the Apostles is often used as an example of how God had a "visible organization" in the first century. From this they reason that God therefore has an organization today.
All members of the Governing Body profess to be "anointed" (see Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses). The number of men who make up the Governing Body has never exceeded seventeen. About 8,500 other Jehovah's Witnesses profess to be anointed but they have no formal role in establishment or modification of the doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses. Unless appointed into one of the various roles described above, they have no position of leadership or authority. Women who profess to be anointed cannot attain any position of earthly authority; Witnesses do believe that all anointed, including many women, will be resurrected to heaven to serve as 'kings and priests' over other creatures provided they die faithful. Witnesses believe the resurrection of the anointed began in the Spring of 1918 and each member of the anointed who dies since then is resurrected to spirit life in the heavens immediately upon their death.
Beliefs and doctrines
See the related article Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses for additional details.
Jehovah's Witnesses claim reliance on the Bible for their theology, and the scriptures noted below are commonly used by Witnesses and their organization as the basis for their claims of a biblical foundation for their doctrines. Many beliefs and practices are similar to mainstream Christian denominations, yet there are significant differences as well.
Beliefs and practices that can be said to be distinctive of Jehovah's Witnesses include:
- Prominent use of the biblical name of God as translated in the language of use, for example: rendered Jehovah in English, as Geova in Italian, Yawe in Ateso, Yekoba in Dinka, Iehova in Gaelic, etc. (based on Psalm 83:18, King James Version)
- Preaching from "house to house" (based on Acts 5:42; 20:20, 21)
- Jesus is a created being and God's first creation, not the uncreated second person of the Trinity. (See Arianism) (based on Colossians 1:15; Revelation 3:14, King James Version)
- The Holy Spirit is not the uncreated third person of the Trinity, but Jehovah God's active force. (based on Acts 2:1-4)
- Only Jehovah's Witnesses can correctly be called true Christians. (Watchtower December 1, 1992 pp. 16-17 paragraphs 18-22; The Road to Everlasting Life—Have You Found It? Part 7 "Who Practice the True Religion?")
- At death, redeemable mankind are sleeping in Hades, the common, generic grave of dead mankind awaiting the "resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous." (Acts 24:15) In this death state, they are "conscious of nothing at all." (based on Ecclesiastes 9:15, 6, 10)
- The number of Christians going to heaven is limited to precisely 144,000 where they will rule with Jesus as kings and priests over earth. (based on Revelation 7:4-8; 14:1-4; 20:6)
- Jesus is mediator for those in the new covenant (the 144,000). (based on Hebrews 8:6) No one comes to the Father except though Jesus. (based on John 14:6)
- Teaching authority is only possessed by the portion of the 144,000 still living (remnant), as a group, also referred to as the Faithful and Discreet Slave.
- The "remnant" is represented in teaching authority by a Governing Body of very few men who have the equivalent of magisterium regarding interpretation of Bible prophecies. (based on Acts 2:41, 42; 15:1-31; 16:4, 5)
- "Nearly all the inspired letters in the Christian Greek Scriptures are primarily directed to this group. . . [the 144,000] partakers of the heavenly calling." However, Bible principles apply to all Christians. (United In Worship of the Only True God; 1983, p. 111)
- The Temple of Jerusalem was destroyed in 607 BC, rather than the historically accepted date of 587/586 BC, based on the belief that 70 years transpired from destruction of Jerusalem to return of captives from Babylon. (based on Jer. 29:10, Dan. 9:2)
- Jesus' invisible enthronement as King of Heaven in 1914 was followed by an inspection period of all Christian Churches, and Jehovah's Witnesses were chosen by Jesus in 1919 as the only true Christian organization. (based on Revelation 18:2-5)(Watchtower May 1, 1993 p. 16, 17 paragraphs 4-8)
- In 1918 Jesus resurrected to heavenly life those of the 144,000 (the "anointed") who had already died. Since 1918, any "anointed" are individually resurrected to heavenly life at the time of their death. (based on Revelation 6:11, 14:13; "Babylon the Great Has Fallen!" God's Kingdom Rules!, p. 458)
- A "Great Crowd" of Jehovah's Witnesses is now living that will survive the coming battle of Armageddon and have the prospect of living forever in an earthly paradise. (based on Revelation 7:9-17)
- Those who consciously, and actively, oppose the Jehovah's Witnesses' ministry will be eternally killed at Armageddon along with the unrighteous. Those who have no knowledge of Jehovah's Witnesses, and live righteously, may possibly be spared.
- An unknown number of dead people from past ages will be resurrected after Armageddon, with the prospect of living forever in an earthly paradise, but those who have already been judged by God will not (such as any killed at Armageddon). (based on John 5:28,29; John 11:25; Acts 24:15)
- After Armageddon, Christ will rule for a thousand years, during which the Earth will be transformed into a paradise, while Satan is abyssed and unable to influence mankind. (Revelation 20:1-3) At the end of this time, Satan will be released, and the final judgment will take place during which Satan and all those corrupted by him will be destroyed forever, and evil will never again occur. (based on Revelation 20:7-10; Revelation 21:1-4)
- "Abstaining from blood", most notably characterized by the refusal of whole blood transfusions or any of the primary components of blood (plasma, platelets, white blood cells, and red blood cells). (based on Acts 15:20, 29; Genesis 9:4) Taking of any derivatives of blood is left to the conscience (no supporting biblical text). Belief that the only proper use of blood can be decided by God only. That sacred use pertained to the washing of sins by Christ's blood as he died on earth.
- God has a visible organization, and it represents the only one true religion. (based on Matthew 7:13, 14; Ephesians 4:4-6)
- Neutrality in secular politics and refusal to take part in elections. (based on Matthew 26:52; John 17:16) [5].
- Not celebrating common religious or national holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. (based on Galatians 4:8-11)
- Not celebrating birthdays. (based on Genesis 40:20-22; Mark 6:19-27)
- The annihilation of the unsaved (cessation of existence) as opposed to damnation of the unsaved (eternal existence in hell.) (based on John 3:16, 36)
- The current time is the "Last Days" or "End Times" soon to end. (based on Isaiah 2:2-4; 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 13)
- Prayer to the Father Jehovah only but in the name of the Son. This recognizes Jehovah God as the most high, and that Jesus gave his life for all. (based on Matthew 6:9; John 14:6, 13)
- All members are expected to abide by Bible and unique organizational requirements as understood by Jehovah's Witnesses. (based on 1 Timothy 6:3) Unapologetic violations can result in disfellowshipping (being excommunicated) from the congregation. All Jehovah's Witnesses are expected to shun individuals who are either disfellowshipped or disassociated (those who leave voluntarily). (based on 1 Corinthians 5:11-13)
- Baptized Jehovah's Witnesses who unapologetically disagree with organizational doctrine are labeled apostate, disfellowshipped, and subsequently shunned by all Jehovah's Witnesses, except for family members living in the same household.
Beliefs similar to those of most Christians include:
- Worship of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (based on Matthew 4:10)
- The Hebrew Scriptures tell the history of the people of Israel as the beneficiaries of God's covenant and recipients of His Law, and prophesy the coming of Jesus Christ. (based on Romans 3:2; 9:1-6)
- Jesus is the incarnate "Word made flesh." (based on John 1:14, 18, 34)
- Jesus died to atone for the sins of humankind. (based on Matthew 20:28) [6]
Beliefs similar to those of many Christians include:
- Abortion is murder. (based on Exodus 21:22, 23; Psalm 127:3)
- Premarital sexual relations are sinful. (based on 1 Corinthians 6:9-11,18)
- Homosexual acts are sinful. (based on Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26,27; 1 Corinthians 6:9)
- Jehovah's Witnesses believe that their religion is the only true one. (Reasoning from the Scriptures p. 203)
Beliefs similar to those of most conservative Christians include:
- inerrancy of the Bible, with a literal interpretation of the Bible, although believing that Bible writers and characters employed symbology, parable, figures of speech, and poeticism. (based on John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17)
- Rejection of evolution. (based on Genesis 1:11, 12)
- Women cannot be "teachers" in the congregation. (based on 1 Timothy 2:12, 13) While female Witnesses do participate in meeting programs they do not serve in a "teaching" role or one of oversight. (based on "bishops" and "deacons" in 1 Timothy 3:1-13 as translated in the New International Version).
- Women should be submissive to their husbands. Husbands are to have deep respect and love for their wives. The husband is the head of the family. (based on 1 Corinthians 11:3)
Beliefs similar to those of some other Christians include:
- Belief that the soul is mortal, and that death is a state of non-existence. (based on Ezekiel 18:4) [7]
- Hades or Sheol is not a place of fiery torment, but rather the common grave of mankind. (based on Revelation 20:13,14, Ecclesiastes 9:5,10)
- Refusal of military service. (based on Isaiah 2:2-4; Matthew 26:52; cf. the Peace churches and Quakers)
Beliefs similar to main Protestant teachings include:
- Rejection of transubstantiation and consubstantiation (of the Eucharist). (based on John 6:35, 40; 53, 63; 15:1; 1 Corinthians 11:25)
- All are sinners. (based on Romans 3:23) (see: Sin)
- Salvation is by faith and undeserved kindness (grace) of God which compels the Christian to works. Works are evidence of faith and cannot gain salvation. (based on John 3:16, 36; James 2:14-26; Matthew 7:15-23; Ephesians 2:8-10)
Jehovah's Witnesses and Philosophy Jehovah's Witnesses have had several views of philosophy. The authors of the book Reasoning from the Scriptures state that "they do not resort to philosophical arguments to evade [the bible's] clear statements of truth." (Reasoning from the Scriptures p. 204). Yet, in the book Is There a Creator Who Cares about You? the authors explicate several well known philosophical proofs for the existence of God. (See Is There a Creator Who Cares about You? pp. 17, 25, 78). The authors use the Fine-Tuning argument, the Teleological argument, and the Kalam Cosmological argument to support belief in God. (See above).
The question of blood
Jehovah's Witnesses do not accept whole blood transfusions.[8] This is based on their understanding of the biblical admonition to "keep abstaining from blood" (based on Acts 15:28, 29).
Although Jehovah's Witnesses do not take "whole blood" in any form including whole blood transfusions, and despite not donating blood, as they believe it must not be stored, they may according to the conscience of the particular individual accept derivatives of blood. Medical Care and Blood - Jehovah's Witness Official Website This includes Hemopure, which is made from cow blood, and PolyHeme, a substitute derived from hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells. The Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, PA, provides a detailed list of these specific distinctions.
The refusal of blood transfusions is a significant issue among medical professionals and others concerning Jehovah's Witnesses, especially when it involves minor children. In some countries, laws may impose limitations on physicians on the ability to withhold or withdraw blood transfusions or blood therapy from minors, particularly in life-threatening situations; parents who have prevented children under their care from receiving blood therapy in life-threatening situations may face prosecution. Courts have ordered transfusions for some children, often the very young; in other cases they have respected the declared choice of an under-age minor who is able to defend his or her own beliefs to the court in a manner that reflects a mature understanding and without undue influence from the parents.
Pursuit of medical alternatives to blood transfusion in cases involving Jehovah's Witness patients, including the use of erythropoietin to boost the red blood cell count, has afforded opportunities for medical advancement in the field of bloodless surgery.[9]
A peer-reviewed essay entitled, "Jehovah's Witnesses, Blood Transfusions, and the Tort of Misrepresentation," found in the Autumn issue of Baylor University’s Journal of Church and State, published December 13, 2005, discusses the potential vulnerability of Jehovah’s Witnesses’ legal corporations to significant claims for compensation because of the religion’s possible misrepresentation of the medical risks of blood transfusions. According to the essay, constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion do not remove the legal responsibility that every person or organization has regarding misrepresenting secular fact. If actual court cases follow the legal argument suggested by this essay, the total awards to those who have lost relatives as a result of the doctrine could easily total hundreds of millions of dollars, crippling the organization financially. The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses has decided to now issue a new directive on blood to all congregations from January 2006, and this replaces the 1995 directives, which are to be removed from organizational files and "be destroyed".
Practices
- See Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses for details.
Jehovah's Witnesses have five meetings per week, which are made up of five program parts (totaling approximately five hours). Meetings are held in local Kingdom Halls and private homes. Larger conventions are held usually three times a year in facilities owned or maintained by the Watchtower Society or rented, such as stadiums or auditoriums. Throughout the week, there are also meetings for "field service" (preaching work) where members meet either in homes, or the Kingdom Hall, to organize and pray prior to engaging in door-to-door or other forms of evangelism. On a daily basis, Jehovah's Witnesses are encouraged to meditate on spiritual matters, often by aids such as "Examining the Scriptures Daily," a booklet with a scripture from the Bible and commentary usually based on a Watchtower article. Before meals, Jehovah's Witnesses commonly say a prayer, either silently when alone or aloud when at a gathering.
Aside from their worship practices, Jehovah's Witnesses are identifiable by things from which they abstain. There is a general avoidance of practices considered to have nationalistic or "false religious" roots. These can be such things as singing the national anthem at sporting events, or not saying "bless you" when someone sneezes. They avoid celebrations of birthdays and holidays. Their only officially mandated celebration is the "Memorial of Christ's Death ." Weddings, anniversaries, and memorials at death are also optionally observed. Adhering to these standards of behavior, Jehovah's Witnesses believe themselves to be faithful even in the seemingly small things (see Luke 16:10). The use of distinctive titles in address (such as Father, Pastor, Elder, Reverend, etc. among other groups) is strictly avoided (Matthew 23:6-12). All Witnesses, irrespective of privileges of service, address one another as "Brother" or "Sister", often followed by the first or last name of the individual. There are categories of privileges of service (Pioneer, Elder, Presiding Overseer, etc.) which may be used to refer to an individual in reference to those duties, but never as a title or to address him or her.
Their view of sexual behavior reflects conservative Christian views, such as pre-marital sex and homosexual acts as being violations of God's law. "Modesty" is heavily encouraged in daily dress, especially at spiritual events, where standards of dress are more formal, varying by country and regional custom (In the U.S., Europe, and most of Asia, this typically consists of formal western business attire). In addition, entertainment with sexual, spiritualistic or violent subject matter is strongly discouraged. Further, though they are nonconformists in some ways, they seek not to appear to be "counter-cultural." They avoid presenting an image that might appear unkempt or unprofessional according to local culture and societal norms. Therefore, in certain areas, styles or attributes such as beards, long hair or earrings for men, or any dress or grooming for both men and women that is defined by them to appear "rebellious" or "immodest" are seriously discouraged, even outside of spiritual activities. A person violating these standards would risk providing a "bad witness," and would fail to mark him or herself as different from the secular and "false religious" world. This is in keeping with their interpretation of the scriptural admonition at 2 Timothy 2:9,10 (NWT), "Likewise I desire the women to adorn themselves in well-arranged dress, with modesty and soundness of mind, not with styles of hair braiding and gold or pearls or very expensive garb, but in the way that befits women professing to reverence God, namely, through good works." Jehovah's Witnesses consider this admonition to apply, in principle, equally to men and to women.
Jehovah's Witnesses are known in many lands for their building work. International and regional building teams frequently undertake so-called "quick builds," construction of Kingdom Halls over the course of one or two weekends. Larger construction projects, including the building of regional Assembly Halls and Bethel offices, factories, residences, warehouses, and farm facilities, are also carried out almost entirely by volunteer members.
The Witnesses are noted for their racial and ethnic integration. In the United States an academic study (ARIS 2001) by CUNY put the proportion of blacks among adults who self-identified as Witnesses at 37% (the highest proportion among any of the 22 largest religious identifications which make up 90% of the U.S. population). Congregations are generally organized geographically, and members are encouraged to attend the Kingdom Hall in whose territory they reside, resulting in an ethnic mix generally representative of local population. Anecdotal accounts of Witness outreach across racial lines are a common subject matter for the annual Yearbook of Jehovah's Witness. A notable example is the account of relief efforts to both Hutu and Tutsi Witnesses and non-Witnesses during the genocide in Rwanda and to Congo refugees. "Since 1994, Jehovah's Witnesses in Europe alone have sent more than 190 tons of food, clothing, medicine, and other relief supplies to the Great Lakes region of Africa." This humanitarian aid was not given exclusively to Jehovah's Witnesses. Others also benefited. For instance, the Witnesses distributed medicine and clothing to several primary schools and an orphanage near Goma.[10]
Jehovah's Witnesses and governments
- Main article: Jehovah's Witnesses and governments.
Jehovah's Witnesses exhort their members to obey all the laws, including the paying of taxes, of the country in which they reside, so long as these do not violate 'God's law'. This is in keeping with their interpretation of Romans 13:7:
- Render to all their dues, to him who calls for the tax, the tax; to him who calls for the tribute, the tribute; to him who calls for fear, such fear; to him who calls for honor, such honor.
At the same time, however, they hold a stance of political neutrality. Examples of this detachment in practice include:
- Refusal to salute the flag, or sing nationalistic songs
- Refusal to serve in the military (including defense, or non-combatant roles)
- Refusal to participate in political processes including democratic ones: voting in government elections, while termed a 'conscience decision' for legal reasons, constitutes an act of disassociation, as does military service. (Watchtower 1 November 1999 pp.28-9)
- Refusal to hold political office
One area in which Jehovah's Witnesses have influenced public policy is civil rights. The Watch Tower Society from the days of Joseph Franklin Rutherford has utilized the court systems of various countries to defend religious freedoms. In addition, they have occasionally organized letter-writing campaigns to protest "persecutions", most famously those addressed to Adolf Hitler during the second world war and certain African nations during the 1970s. (See publication Defending and Legally Establishing the Good News for examples.)
According to the book Judging Jehovah's Witnesses, the Witnesses have helped to widen the definition of civil liberties in most western societies, hence broadening the rights of millions of people, due to their firm stand and determination. According to the preface to the book State and Salvation: One of the results of the Witnesses' legal battles was the long process of discussion and debate that led to the Charter of Rights, which is now part of the fundamental law of Canada. Other battles in countries around the world have involved the rights to decline military service or martial arts training, to decline to participate in political parties or governmental elections, to exercise free and anonymous speech, to exercise freedom of association, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, medical self-determination, etc. Witnesses continue to, in their words, "defend and legally establish the Good News" around the world. See the article Jehovah's Witnesses and governments.
Regarding the intensity and argumentation used by Jehovah's Witnesses as an organization in defending their claimed basic "legal rights, Human Rights, and Freedoms of Speech" within the nations in which they have a presence, some criticism has been expressed regarding the internal organizational practises and their effects on the same Human Rights and basic freedoms of individual members. Citing a Witness publication, the contention is that divergent views, continuously expressed, will result in disfellowshipping (excommunication), or strong threats thereof on the grounds of "apostasy" with accompanying removal of congregational privileges, and communication with family and friends: "Persons who deliberately spread (stubbornly hold to and speak about) teachings contrary to Bible truth as taught by Jehovah's Witnesses are apostates." (Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock p. 94 Apostasy). Also, "Keep in mind that to be disfellowshipped, an apostate does not have to be a promoter of apostate views. . . Therefore, if a baptized Christian abandons the teachings of Jehovah, as presented by the faithful and discreet slave [Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses], and persists in believing other doctrines, . . .then he is apostatizing. . . if he continues to believe the apostate ideas and rejects what has been provided through the 'slave class' [Governing Body] then appropriate judicial action should be taken."—letter to all Circuit and District overseers, 1 September 1980. This is seen by some critics as a major restriction of the basic humans rights and freedoms of speech and thought of the members — rights which the organization demands in its legal battles with some governments of the world — as well as indicative of a severe mind- and speech-controlling policy directly contradicting scriptural precedents. They criticise the organization's pursuit of its rights before governments as hypocritical because they see the organization violating those same rights when dealing with members. The organization sees this as a perfectly reasonable private internal matter by itself and its followers, and states its right to excommunicate members.
Jehovah's Witnesses endured intense persecution under the Nazi regime from 1933 to 1945, both as a religious group and individually. Unlike Jews, Sinti and Roma ("Gypsies"), persecuted and killed by virtue of their culture, Jehovah's Witnesses had the opportunity to escape persecution and personal harm by renouncing their religious beliefs. The courage the vast majority displayed in refusing to do so, in the face of torture, maltreatment in concentration camps, and sometimes execution, won them the respect of many contemporaries. These events are recounted in a documentary (available through the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) called: PURPLE TRIANGLES.United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Opposition to Jehovah's Witnesses
Throughout their history, their beliefs, doctrines and practices have met controversy and opposition from governments, communities, and religious groups. Many Christian denominations consider the interpretation and doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses to be heresy. In addition, governments of various political persuasions have considered the religion to be a subversive organization, and sometimes even a threat to national security.
Political and religious animosity against them has at times led to mob action and government oppression.
On the milder side, there have been opposition by locals to the building of facilities (such as Kingdom Halls), and the holding of large conventions. In those circumstances, at times the reason is opposition to the religion, but at other times, they are more mundane, such as concerns about traffic congestion and noise. In some legal cases, (such as Congrégation des témoins de Jéhovah de St-Jérôme-Lafontaine v. Lafontaine (Village)), disputes that have actually been about appropriate land use have been claimed by the Witnesses to be a violation of their religious freedoms.
For more details, see the article Persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Jehovah's Witnesses and eschatology
Since their formation in the 1870s, leaders of the organization scoured the Bible to identify dates for end-time events such as the enthronement of Jesus as King, the return of Jesus Christ, and for the "end of this system of things," culminating in Armageddon. The Witness publication: Jehovah's Witnesses--Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, gives an overview of some of the historical development of the Witnesses' eschatology. However, no detailed study by Witness historians has been published. Most information on Jehovah's Witnesses' eschatology has been produced by non-Witnesses citing Watch Tower publications. Responding to the charge of being "false prophets," the Watchtower Society has defended failed predictions, and eschatology changes, as incorrect interpretations of the Bible and views it as evidence that they have been "keeping on the watch" for the "Day of Jehovah." While the Witnesses still look to modern events as corresponding to Biblical prophecies, they no longer worry about specific days.
Early eschatology
The Second Adventists affiliated with Nelson H. Barbour expected a visible and dramatic return of Christ in 1873, and later in 1874. They agreed with other Adventist groups that the "time of the end" (also called the "last days") had started in 1799. Soon after the 1874 disappointment, Barbour accepted the idea that Christ had actually returned to the earth in 1874, but invisibly. 1874 was considered the end of 6,000 years of human history and the beginning of judgment by Christ. Charles Taze Russell and the group that later was known as Bible Students accepted these views from Barbour. Russell taught that while Jesus was invisibly present here on earth, he was made its King in 1878. Russell also taught that in 1878 Christ resurrected all the "dead in Christ" as spirit beings to be with him here on the earth awaiting a future glorification. (As each of the remainder of the 144,000 would die after 1878, Christ would resurrect them as spirit beings to join those already resurrected.) Together with Christ here on earth, these invisible resurrected spirit beings were engaged in directing a harvest work gathering the remainder of those with the heavenly calling. This harvest would run from 1874–1914, and the culmination of Armageddon would occur in 1914 preceded by the gathering of all the saints (both resurrected and living) to heaven notes C1. From 1925–1933, the Watchtower Society radically changed their beliefs after the failure of expectations for Armageddon in 1914, 1915, 1918, 1920, and 1925. In 1925, the Watchtower explained a major change that Christ had now been enthroned as King in heaven in the year 1914 instead of 1878. 1874 was retained as the time of Christ's invisible return until the early 1930s. But, Christ's Second Advent was now explained not as a return to the earth but as a "turning of attention" to the earth with Christ remaining in heaven. By 1933, it was clearly taught that Christ had returned invisibly in 1914 and the "last days" had also begun then. The 1878 resurrection date was transferred to 1918 but it was now held these were raised as spirit creatures to heavenly life to be with Christ there. Witnesses no longer consider the dates 1799, 1874 and 1878 of any significance today, even though they were foundation doctrines in their time. The idea that the "great tribulation" had begun in 1914 and was "cut short" in 1918 to be resumed at Armageddon was dropped in 1969, though Armageddon is still considered to be "very close".
Other dates proclaimed to be time of God's judgment on humankind and the culmination of Armageddon, were 1915, 1918, 1920, 1925 and 1941. The return of Old Testament men including Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was an event anticipated by many Jehovah's Witnesses in 1925 based on writings in their journal, The Watchtower, the book Millions Now Living Will Never Die C2, and various other Watch Tower Society publications. In 1929, Joseph Rutherford (the second president of the Watch Tower) built a luxury villa in California called Beth Sarim for the purpose of housing ancient Biblical persons, who were expected to be physically resurrected on earth to join Christ's reign over the earth, even though they had failed to materialize as he had predicted for 1925. Rutherford lived in the villa until his death in 1942, and in 1948 the villa was sold. notes C3
Throughout its history the Watch Tower Society's claims authority as "God's Prophet", and "God's one and only true channel to mankind" has been historically reinforced into the minds of Jehovah's Witnesses throughout the history of the organisation. Its dates for Armageddon were repeatedly classed as "of God,", "God's time to act against mankind", "God's interpretations," and the organization describes itself in a unique and privileged position of "God's one sole channel to Mankind" in giving these dates. To questions the dates validity is often negatively inferred to be questioning God Himself. The organization has at times denied being "directly inspired", but has also made multiple claims equalling inspiration in their import. These historical dates were never suggested to be the thoughts of imperfect men, or passing theories of men at the time of their publishing. This is demonstrated clearly in two out of many issues of the Watchtower magazine published by Jehovah's Witnesses: "It is on the basis of such and so many correspondencies-in accordance with the soundest laws known to science that we affirm that, Scripturally, scientifically, and historically, present-truth chronology is correct beyond a doubt. Its reliability has been abundantly confirmed by the dates and events of 1874, 1914, and 1918. Present-truth chronology is a secure basis on which the consecrated child of God may endeavor to search out things to come." (Watchtower, 15 June 1922, p. 187.) "This chronology is not of man, but of God. Being of divine origin and divinely corroborated, present-truth chronology stands in a class by itself, absolutely and unqualifiedly correct."—Watchtower, 15 July 1922, p. 217.
1975
During the 1960s and early 1970s, many Witnesses were stimulated by articles in their literature C4 and further encouraged by speakers at their assemblies prior to 1975, to believe that Armageddon and Christ's thousand-year millennial reign would begin by 1975. Although the views of Armageddon and Christ's millennium beginning in 1975 were never fully or explicitly supported by the Watch Tower Society, many in the organisations' writing department, as well as several leading Witnesses, Elders, and presiding overseers in the organisation, heavily suggested that Christ's millennial reign over earth would begin by 1975. One outstanding example is F.Franz expecting it for September 5 after sundown[11]. While Witnesses have always been encouraged to increase the preaching work, and avoid secular life goals or careers, this emphasis was especially strong prior to 1975.
Some Witnesses gave up good jobs, notes C5 college, scholarships, and some imprudently sold their houses in the hopeful expectation that God's Kingdom would literally be established on earth in 1975 after the biblical Armageddon, encouraged by the Watch Tower Society: "Reports are heard of brothers selling their homes and property and planning to finish out the rest of their days in this old system in the pioneer service. Certainly this is a fine way to spend the short time remaining before the wicked world's end.-1 John 2:17."[12] notes C6 It is worth noting that similar language persists in publications of Jehovah's Witnesses, who still hold that the time remaining in the present system is relatively short, and that having an active share in the preaching work is the best use of a believer's time. Some Jehovah's Witnesses irresponsibly ran up debt believing they would not to have to pay it back, and some unwisely spent their life savings believing that the 1975 date was a certain and unchangeable fact due to the many encouraging Watch Tower articles. C7 In spite of the Watch Tower Society's previous admonition that Witnesses should let nothing cause them to tire and give out (Watchtower, 15 August 1968, p. 501), there were many who left the organization (or became inactive) due to the disappointment of Armageddon not coming in 1975, although the majority remained. The large numbers leaving or becoming inactive were seen as baptisms continued at over 100,000 per year (around 200,000 in 1976). However, the organisation still continued to lose more members than it gained for several years after 1975, until 1979 when numbers started to recover and increase again.
In 1980, the Society acknowledged some responsibility of the 1975 incident. "With the appearance of the book Life Everlasting-in Freedom of the Sons of God, and its comments as to how appropriate it would be for the millennial reign of Christ to parallel the seventh millennium of man's existence, considerable expectation was aroused regarding the year 1975. There were statements made then, and thereafter, stressing that this was only a possibility. Unfortunately, however, along with such cautionary information, there were other statements published that implied that such realization of hopes by that year was more of a probability than a mere possibility. It is to be regretted that these latter statements apparently overshadowed the cautionary ones and contributed to a build up of the expectation already initiated." — The Watchtower magazine, 15 March 1980 p.17
Recent changes
In 1995 changes regarding their understanding of the statement "this generation" made by Jesus were published. During the previous four decades, Jehovah's Witnesses had taught that Jesus was referring to the generation living in 1914, which would not die before Armageddon came. "Those persons yet remaining of that generation are now very old. However, some of them will still be alive to see the end of this wicked system." (You Can Live Forever In Paradise On Earth, published 1982, rev. 1989, p154).
Previously, the proper interpretation of the word "generation" itself was believed to be "beyond question, that which takes a 'generation' in the ordinary sense...or for those who are living at the given period." The belief was that "from 1914 a generation shall not pass till all is fulfilled, and amidst a great time of trouble."[13]
As the generation of 1914 dwindled in numbers, the Society used this for many decades as evidence that the end was "very near and immediately impending." This doctrine was discarded when the youngest had reached 80 years of age. A "new light" interpretation of "this generation" was then published in The Watchtower magazine of 1 November 1995.[14]
The Witnesses current teaching regarding the meaning of the term “this generation” is that "in the final fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy today, 'this generation' apparently refers to the peoples of earth who see the sign of Christ’s presence but fail to mend their ways."[15] Jehovah's Witnesses still believe that Armageddon is imminent. That same article continued, "Does our more precise viewpoint on 'this generation' mean that Armageddon is further away than we had thought? Not at all! Though we at no time have known the 'day and hour,' Jehovah God has always known it, and he does not change. (Malachi 3:6) ... The need to keep awake is more critical than it has ever been. Jehovah has revealed to us 'the things that must shortly take place,' and we should respond with an absorbing sense of urgency."
At the same time, the Watch Tower Society changed part of the wording of the stated purpose of the Awake! magazine from "the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure new world before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away" to "the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure new world that is about to replace the present, wicked lawless system of things."
The Witnesses' viewpoint of the "end of the world" differs from other apocalyptic religions. They do not believe that the physical earth will be destroyed, but rather that both the wicked and unbelievers will be eternally destroyed along with all "worldly" institutions (governments, non-Witness religions, etc.). It is their belief that the earth will be restored to an Eden-like paradise with Jehovah as sovereign and Jesus Christ as King designate. For further discussion of this, see "Beliefs and Doctrines" above.
Jehovah's Witnesses and their families
Being one of Jehovah's Witnesses and having other family members who are not can create strained relationships. When holidays come around (e.g. Christmas, Easter, Birthdays), some Witnesses may feel attendance or participation in holiday parties or gatherings violates their conscience, whether or not other, non-Witness family members choose to attend. It is because of this that many non-Witness family members of Jehovah's Witnesses feel they are being shunned or that their Witness family members are 'not allowed' to be around them at all. This is, for the most part untrue, even though some Witnesses have cut off ties with 'non-believing' family members. Association with family members who are not Witnesses is not discouraged to the same extent as with non-relatives, as Witnesses believe they still have responsibilities to their respective families.
The September 15, 1981 Watchtower explains how disfellowshipping impacts family relationships. "The fact is that when a Christian gives himself over to sin and has to be disfellowshipped, he forfeits much: his approved standing with God;....sweet fellowship with the brothers, including much of the association he had with Christian relatives." (page 31) Those who voluntarily disassociate or resign from Jehovah's Witnesses similarly forfeit much of the association they have with their Witness relatives. If a relative who is disfellowshipped lives in the same household with Jehovah's Witnesses this means they will minimize spiritual contact. Day to day activities will most likely not be affected. The August 2002 Our Kingdom Ministry explains: "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 activites. 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."
Regarding contact with a disfellowshipped relative living outside the home, a 1988 Watchtower counselled: "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." (April 15, 1988, p. 28) "Hence, we also avoid social fellowship with an expelled person. This would rule out joining him in a picnic, party, or trip to the shops or theater or sitting down to a meal with him either in the home or at a restaurant." (Our Kingdom Ministry, August 2002.)
Witnesses feel that disfellowshipping and shunning can have the beneficial effect of restoring an errant former member to the religion. Critics feel that this policy holds some people captive who might otherwise leave the religion but are afraid of facing shunning from their Witness relatives. The psychological impact of shunning disfellowshipped or disassociated relatives can be extremely painful for both members and ex-members.
See also
- List of Jehovah's Witnesses
- Faithful and Discreet Slave
- Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses
- Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses
- Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses
- Persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses
- Legal instruments of Jehovah's Witnesses - A brief history of the legal corporations of Jehovah's Witnesses
- Jehovah's Witnesses splinter groups
- List of Christian denominations
- Religious Rejection of Politics
- Christology
- Holy Spirit
Further reading
Watchtower publications
See: List of Jehovah's Witnesses literature
Jehovah's Witnesses make vigorous efforts to spread their beliefs throughout the world in a variety of ways, with particular emphasis on the written word. Their literature is published in 410 languages through a wide variety of books, magazines and other publications. Their publications make extensive use of secular references and quotations from the Bible.
- New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (NWT) is a modern-language translation of the Bible published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc (a legal entity in the service of Jehovah's Witnesses). This is the Bible translation primarily used by Jehovah's Witnesses.
- Awake!, published in 82 languages, is a general-interest monthly magazine covering many topics from a religious perspective. It has an average circulation of 32.4 million copies per issue.
- The Watchtower, Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom, published in 150 languages, focuses mainly on doctrine. With an average circulation of 26.4 million copies semimonthly, The Watchtower is the most widely distributed religious magazine in the world, and is available in various editions and media formats.
Both The Watchtower and Awake! are published simultaneously in dozens of languages. In addition to the formats mentioned above, both magazines are available in various audio and electronic formats and some of the articles from these magazines are available online. After the end of each year the issues are collected and re-released in a printed annual edition, commonly referred to as a bound volume. In addition to this, the Watchtower Library computer program contains several decades worth of articles for both magazines and is updated on an annual basis. (Until 2003, this was only done biennially.)
New books, brochures, and other items are released from time to time, major releases being announced at their annual conventions. Additionally, a number of audio cassettes, videocassettes, and DVDs have been produced featuring various aspects of the group's beliefs, practices, organization, and history. Some of these also provide dramas based on various Biblical accounts. Recent years have seen a proliferation of material available on their website.
Positive publications
Jehovah's Witnesses: The New World Society by Marley Cole. This book received a positive review in the August 15, 1955 Watchtower: "Much of the material was gathered by personal interviews with witnesses, some of them being officials of the Society. Frequently in the news is something about the religion of President Eisenhower's parents. This book gives the facts often overlooked or concealed, with documentary proof that they were Jehovah's witnesses for many years." Cole was an active Witness and wrote the book in collaboration with Witness leaders. It was also distributed by the Watchtower Society. 229 pages. Publisher: The Vantage Press, 1955.
Armed with the Constitution : Jehovah's Witnesses in Alabama and the U.S Supreme Court, 1939-1946 by Merlin Newton. Newton researches the contributions of two Jehovah's Witnesses -- a black man and a white woman -- in expanding the meaning of the First Amendment in 1940s Alabama. She examines two key U.S. Supreme Court decisions, as well as court records, memoirs, letters, and interviews of Jehovah's Witnesses. - Publisher: University Alabama Press; Religion and American Culture Series, Reprint edition (June 28, 2002). Paperback: 240 pages. ISBN 0817312285
Faith on the March by A. H. Macmillan. Written by Macmillan in 1957, he provides a first-person account of the early history of the modern day Jehovah Witnesses from his meeting of Charles Taze Russell in 1900 to the writing of the book. He served with three of the Presidents of Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society: Russell, Rutherford, and Knorr. - Publisher: Prentice-Hall, Inc. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 57-8528 (Englewood Cliffs, N.J. 1957)
A People For His Name: A History of Jehovah's Witnesses and an Evaluation by Timothy White (pseudonym for Anthony Wills). The author, a life-long Witness, presents an in-depth look at the Bible Student/Jehovah's Witness movement. He explores its doctrinal growth and shifts and notes schisms from the main body. Unfortunately, the book is extremely scarce but can be obtained by inter-library loan. 418 pages. Publisher: The Vantage Press, 1967.
Religions of America - Ferment and Faith in an Age of Crisis edited by Leo Rosten, this comprehensive volume listing 19 Christian-based religions in the U.S.A. including Jehovah's Witnesses with a chapter by Milton G. Henschel outlining the various teachings and addressing procedural questions relating to this organization. Additional chapters outline summaries on other religions as well as consideration of contemporary issues that each religion must face. 672 pages. Publisher: Cowles Communications, 1975. ISBN 0-671-21971-5
Neutral publications
Jehovah's Witnesses : Portrait of a Contemporary Religious Movement by Andrew Holden. A British sociologist, attempts to understand the strict and austere Watch Tower Society and its adherents, Jehovah's Witnesses. This is an academic ethnography that draws upon interviews with both adherents and ex-members. - Publisher: Routledge. ISBN 0415266092 (London, New York 2002)
Jehovah's Witnesses in Canada: Champions of freedom of speech and worship by M. James Penton. Penton, who is a professor emeritus of history at University of Lethbridge, examines the history of legal activities that led to expansion of religious freedoms in Canada. - Publisher: Macmillan of Canada. ISBN 0770513409 (Canada, 1976)
Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses by M. James Penton. Penton, who is a professor emeritus of history at University of Lethbridge, examines the history of Jehovah's Witnesses, and their doctrines. - Publisher: University of Toronto Press. ISBN 0802079733 (Canada, 1998)
Critical publications
Crisis of Conscience by Raymond Franz, a former Governing Body member of the Watch Tower Society for nine years. This book gives a detailed account of the authority structure, practices, doctrines and decision-making practices Franz experienced while serving on the Governing Body. Franz gives a personal account of the inner conflict between loyalty to God and one's Christian conscience versus loyalty to a religious organization. - Publisher: Commentary Press. 420 pages. Hardback ISBN 0914675249. Paperback ISBN 0914675230. 4th edition (June 2002)
In Search of Christian Freedom by Raymond Franz. A follow up to the book Crisis of Conscience, Franz explores many doctrinal and ethical issues, including the nature of Christian freedom. In it he explores various aspects of the Watch Tower's teachings, doctrines, and claims, comparing and contrasting them with Biblical scriptures. ISBN 0914675168 Publisher: Commentary Press (October 1991, internally updated in 2002)
The Sign of the Last Days - When? by Carl O. Jonsson & Wolfgang Herbst. A case against the Jehovah's Witness belief that the 'sign of the Last Days' began in 1914. Accompanied by historical figures for wars, famines, earthquakes and pestilences from past centuries, detailed world disaster statistics, and Biblical references. ISBN 0914675095 Publisher: Commentary Press (1 September 1987)
The Gentile Times Reconsidered: Chronology & Christ's Return by Carl O. Jonsson. A detailed discussion of the cornerstone belief that the Gentile Times began with the fall of Jerusalem in 607 B.C. Jonsson considers the origin of this belief and examines several lines of evidence refuting the starting date of 607 B.C. and the methodology for deriving it. ISBN 0914675060 Publisher: Commentary Press (July, 1998, Fourth edition 2004)
Where is the "Great Crowd" Serving God? by Jon Mitchell. A 32 page booklet by a former secretary to the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses that disputes the Jehovah's Witnesses' belief in two classes of salvation, i.e., the "Great Crowd" (earthly) and "The 144,000's" (heavenly). (See Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses: Salvation) He covers the Watchtower's doctrines, and the Greek word Naos in a scriptural discussion explicating his opinion that there is no biblical difference between the two groups' location. ISBN 9993518972 Publisher: Commentary Press (1 December 1992)
The Four Major Cults: Christian Science, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormonism, Seventh-Day Adventism (1963, ISBN 0802804454) Anthony A. Hoekema 464 pages. The author clearly differentiates the beliefs and practices of these denominations from more orthodox sects of Christianity, and therefore classifies them as cults. He also criticises the organizational structure of these churches and their heavy reliance on the teachings of relatively recent leaders.
External links
Official websites of Jehovah's Witnesses
- Official Web Site of Jehovah's Witnesses (Information is available in 252 languages on this site)
- Authorized Site of the Office of Public Information of Jehovah's Witnesses
Resources positive of the group
- Jehovah's Witnesses World News Forum - Good World News From All Over the World Updated Every Day
- Jehovah's Witnesses United - The site was created so that scholarly information supporting the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society's teachings and the New World Translation could be collected in one location on the web.
- Jehovah's Witnesses Information Center - By Hiram Whittle
- In Defense of the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures:Index of Pages - This web site has the intention of defending the Bible translation known as The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.
- CESNUR, the Center for Studies on New Religions - CESNUR is an international network of associations of scholars working in the field of new religious movements. Its director is the Italian scholar Massimo Introvigne.
- Free Exercise of Religion Repository containing various pages relating to legal briefs on cases specific toward Jehovah's Witnesses.
- West Virginia Board of Education Vs. Barnette et al. - Documentation of 1943 Supreme Court ruling regarding Jehovah's Witnesses' rights in not saluting the flag
- Purple Triangles: A Story of Spiritual Resistance - Thorough essay chornicling the persecution lodged against Jehovah's Witnesses by those opposed to their stand in Nazi Germany circa 1933-1945. This document analyzes the early history of this conflict and the endurance of the Bibelforscher (as Jehovah's Witnesses were known in this land at the time).
- ReligionFacts.com - About Jehovah's Witnesses, including comparison chart with mainstream Protestant Christianity.
- Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance - About Jehovah's Witnesses.
- Beliefnet:Jehovah's Witnesses
- Thank Jehovah's Witnesses for Speech Freedoms short article outlining legal battles of Jehovah's Witnesses in the United States, resulting in greater freedoms for Americans as a whole (dated 30 March 2000)
- Interactive Map of the Worldwide Work Map showing JW numbers worldwide.
- TVG Online News collection database along with resources for Jehovah's Witnesses
- Statistics of Jehovah's Witnesses Graphic Presentation of Jehovah's Witnesses Activities in the World 1988–2004
Resources critical of the group
- Quotes.Watchtower.ca A mirror of the research and information web site by a former Jehovah's Witness devoted to collecting and preserving interesting and/or significant quotes from the publications of the Watch Tower Society, without explicit commentary or editorial. Many original Watch Tower Society source documents and references. (Note: The owner of the original website, Peter Anthony Mosier, was sued by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society in October 2005 to the sum of $100,000 for copyright infringement, trademark violations, "try[ing] to embarrass the Plaintiffs," and other tortuous acts. Without admitting guilt, Mr. Mosier elected to avoid the legal battle. Terms of Settlement The mirror site has no connection to Mr. Mosier.)
- Free minds - Detailed discussions about Jehovah's Witnesses' doctrines, history, and claims from a critical perspective.
- Associated Jehovah's Witnesses for Reform on Blood A large site that promotes changes to the Watch Tower Society's blood doctrine. Many original Watch Tower Society source documents and references.
- Jehovah's-Witness.com A very large archived message board community discussing Jehovah's Witnesses and their Watch Tower organisation.
- JehovahsWitnessOnline.com An uncensored message board community with a focus on Jehovah's Witnesses issues.
- Silent lambs - For those Jehovah's Witnesses who claim they were victims of sexual molestation within their religious organisation. Criticism of the Watch Tower organisation, and its controversial policies of how it deals with child molestation within the organisation.
- The Watch Tower's United Nations Controversy - Discusses the relationship of the Watch Tower Society with the United Nations, believed by JWs to be the "Image of the wild beast" of Revelation"
- Watchtower News A site that lists the most current news items involving Jehovah's Witnesses or the Watch Tower organisation
- Watchtower Information Service Provides information on the Watchtower Society and Jehovah's Witnesses. Everyone can partake in online discussion of the presented articles.
- JW Files-Research on Jehovah's Witnesses A large researched site headed by subject grouping, with many original scans from the Watch Tower Society's literature, and discussing many important doctrinal and ethical issues from a critical perspective.
- Rick A. Ross Institute of New Jersey - Information The Rick A. Ross Institute has gathered about Jehovah's Witnesses
- JWDOM.org - A Large Collection of Articles Related to the Beliefs, History and Practices of the Watchtower & the Jehovah's Witnesses.
- JWForum.com A medium size message board community discussing Jehovah's Witnesses and their Watch Tower organisation.
- e-Jehovah's Witnesses.com A Discussion Board for current and former Jehovah's Witnesses that discusses perceived inconsistencies and alleged problems associated with the Watchtower organization's teachings and policies.
- 607: The Shaky Foundation of the 1914-Doctrine An essay discussing the Witnesses' claim the Jerusalem was destroyed by Nebuchadrezzar in 607 BC from both a Biblical and a historical perspective.
- My letter to the Governing Body Letter written by a Witness to the Governing Body detailing and asking clarification about the numerous proofs that Jerusalem was destroyed by Nebuchadrezzar in 587/6 BC, not 607 BC as claimed by the Witnesses.
- Discussion of Historical Evidence Discussion of the evidence that Jerusalem was destroyed by Nebuchadrezzar and the Neo-Babylonians in 587/6 BC, not 607 BC as claimed by the Witnesses.
- Time and Prophecy: A Harmony of Time Prophecy with History and Archaeology A detailed look at the archaeological evidence that Jerusalem must have been destroyed in 587/6 BC, in direct contradiction to the Witness claim that it happened in 607 BC. Among many other things, it includes a table on page 25 (page 23 if looking at the page numbers on the PDF itself) counting the dated commercial tablets found from just one city (Sippar) for every year of every Neo-Babylonian king, which coincides perfectly with all the other evidence for the date of the destruction (and even with some Watchtower quotes) and also directly contradicts the Witnesses' claim.
Footnotes, references and sources
- Click on the link to the left of the reference to go the place in the article referenced.
- ^ 'The Awake "Faithful and Discreet Slave"', The Watchtower, 15 July 1960, p.436
- ^ US Census: Self-Described Religious Identification of Adult Population: 1990 and 2001 see Table 79, page 67. Accessed 4 December 2005.
- ^ The 2004 Report of Jehovah's Witnesses Worldwide which shows the "memorial partakers" at the bottom of the spreadsheet. Accessed 4 December 2005.
- ^ Membership and Publishing Statistics - Authorized Site of the Office of Public Information of Jehovah's Witnesses. Accessed 4 December 2005.
- ^ How Can Blood Save Your Life?. Accessed 4 December 2005.
- ^ Jehovah's Witnesses Instrumental in Heart Surgery Advance - Accessed 4 December 2005.
- ^ CHRISTIANITY IN ACTION: Amid Turmoil. An account of relief efforts by Jehovah's Witnesses in refugee camps in Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo), Tanzania, and Burundi from 1994-1997. Accessed 4 December 2005.
- ^ “How Are You Using Your Life?”, Our Kingdom Ministry, May 1974, Pg. 3, New York, Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.
- ^ "He shows the beginning of this time and how the troubles increase, and mentions some of the sorrows to fall on the world, during the time of trouble. The length of time is indicated by him when he said, 'Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.' (Matt. 24:34, NW) The actual meaning of these words is, beyond question, that which takes a 'generation' in the ordinary sense, as at Mark 8:12 and Acts 13:36, or for those who are living at the given period. So it was on 'this generation' that the accumulated judgments were to fall. (Matt. 23:36) This therefore means that from 1914 a generation shall not pass till all is fulfilled, and amidst a great time of trouble." "Vision of the 'Time of the End'", The Watchtower, July 1951, p. 404.
- ^ "Saved From a 'Wicked Generation'", The Watchtower, 1 November 1995, pp. 10-15
- ^ "A Time To Keep Awake", The Watchtower, 1 November 1995, p. 19 par. 12, p. 20 par. 15
Eschatology Notes
- C1: A list of direct quotes from Watch Tower articles on their original beliefs on what the year 1914 held for humanity, unaltered, with date references, publication, and page numbers etc. See Historical Publications Relating to Jehovah's Witnessesfor the historical development of the understanding of biblical chronology in the Bible Student/Jehovah's Witness movement.
- C2 Online version of the Watch Tower Society's book, Millions Now Living Will Never Die!, published in 1920 by the International Bible Students Association, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.
- C3: Humorous interview with Rutherford about his luxury Californian Villa, from San Diego Sun newspaper, March 1930.
- C4: A comprehensive list of quotes from Watch Tower 1975 articles, unaltered with date references, publication, and page numbers etc.
- C5: Scanned text discouraging higher education from the Watch Tower 22 May 1969, p.15
- C6: Scan of the Watch Tower Society Kingdom ministry leaflet, "How Are You Using Your Life?", May 1974.
- C7: List of quoted Watch Tower 1975 articles, unaltered with date references, publication, and page numbers etc, with some critical commentary.