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 Places 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 R. L. Ciranko Formative influences William Miller Henry Grew G. W. Stetson George Storrs N. H. Barbour J. N. Darby Notable former members R. V. Franz O. R. Moyle
Criticism Criticism Handling child sex abuse Unfulfilled predictions
Opposition Persecution in Nazi Germany Supreme Court cases by country

Jehovah's Witnesses are members of an international religion that claims to be the restoration of first-century Christianity. Their preaching, evangelistic, and publishing activities are extensive, with The Watchtower and Awake! religious magazines being their most widely known publications. Headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, they are directed by a Governing Body. Each local congregation is led by a group of elders who are appointed by representatives of the Governing Body. Their official membership currently stands at over 6.6 million.

From their inception, they have been concerned with the second advent of Jesus. Initially holding many views similar to other 19th century Adventist groups, such as the Millerites; they have since developed a unique eschatology. They trace their origin to the religious movement known as Bible Students, which was founded in the late 1870s by Charles Taze Russell. Following a schism in 1917, those who remained supportive of the Watch Tower Society adopted the name Jehovah's Witnesses in 1931 under the leadership of Joseph Franklin Rutherford.

The entire (Protestant) Bible is considered by Jehovah's Witnesses to be the inerrant word of God. The name 'Jehovah' is an anglicized form of the name of God in the Hebrew language. They believe that Jesus' death was necessary to atone for the sins of humanity, thus allowing for the possibility of endless life on earth or, for a limited number, in heaven. In their eschatology, society will be destroyed through Armageddon, which those found worthy will survive. They differ from mainstream Christianity in rejecting the doctrines of the Trinity and Hellfire in favor of unitarianism and extinction of the soul. Though not strictly pacifists, Jehovah's Witnesses refuse to become involved in conflicts, and as a result have been victims of governmental persecution, notably by the Nazi government. They are well known for their rejection of blood transfusions. Their stand on refusing blood transfusions has garnered criticism from medical and legal sources but over time in the 20th century has gained mutual respect & backing from the medical feild throughout the earth. Members who are judged to be unrepentant sinners are excommunicated from the congregation, a practice that critics have called cruel and arbitrary.

History

1870-1916

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In the early 1870's Russell organized a Bible study group in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1876, Russell met Nelson H. Barbour and subsequently adopted Barbour's eschatology. Barbour predicted a visible return of Christ for 1873^[1], and when that failed to occur, he revised the prediction to 1874.^[2] Soon after the second disappointment, Barbour's group decided Christ had returned to the earth in 1874, but invisibly.^[3] They differed from most Second Adventists by teaching that all of humankind descended from Adam would be given a chance to live in a paradise Earth.^[4] The year 1914 was seen as the final end marking a forty years period from 1874.^[5]

In July 1879, Russell broke with Barbour over the concept of substitutionary atonement and he soon began publishing his own magazine, Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence (now known as The Watchtower).^[6] After the break, Russell retained the bulk of Barbour's eschatological views. He was known as "Pastor Russell", and in 1881 formed the legal entity which developed into the non-profit organization: The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania (currently headquartered in New York City). In 1884, it was incorporated with Russell as president. He authored the six-volume series, Studies in the Scriptures.^[7] In 1914, Russell founded the International Bible Students Association in Great Britain.

1916-1942

According to Russell's Last Will and Testament, an editorial committee of five was set up to supervise the writing of the Watch Tower magazine following Russell's death on October 31, 1916.^[8] On January 6, 1917, Joseph Franklin Rutherford (also known as "Judge Rutherford") was elected second President of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. New by-laws were passed at the same business meeting which strengthened the President's authority.^[9]Initially, the board of directors for the Watch Tower Society accepted this change, but four of the board members withdrew their support.^[10] The June 20, 1917 meeting of the full board of directors tabled for one month a proposal to return control of the Society to the board,^[11] but Rutherford prevented their attempt. Matters came to a head on July 17, 1917 when the book The Finished Mystery was published. ^[12] Rutherford announced that he was dismissing the four directors and was replacing them with new members.^[13] Dissension and schisms ensued in congregations worldwide as a result of both these events, and the consequences of new predictions made for the years 1918^[14], 1920^[15] and 1925^[16][17].

The Watchtower Society's opposition to the draft during World War I received legal action by the United States federal government. Rutherford and the new board of directors were sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for violating the Espionage Act. They were released on bail, and in March 1919, the judgment against them was reversed and charges dropped.^[18]

An emphasis on preaching house-to-house began in 1922.^[19] By 1928, attendance at their yearly Memorial dropped nearly 75% from 1922, due to the previous power struggle, the failed predictions for the year 1925,^[20] and the evolving doctrinal changes which alienated those who sided with Russell's views. In 1931, the name "Jehovah's Witnesses" was adopted.

From 1925 to 1933, their eschatological beliefs underwent radical changes.^[21] By 1933, 1914 was seen as the beginning of Christ's presence, his enthronement as king and the start of the last days instead of being considered the terminal date for chronology.^[22]

Jehovah's Witnesses were heavily persecuted by the Nazi government.^[23] Members had the opportunity to escape persecution and personal harm by renouncing their religious beliefs. The courage the 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.

Under Rutherford, membership grew from about 44,000 in 1928 to about 115,000 at the time of his death in 1942.

1942-1975

Nathan Homer Knorr succeeded Rutherford as president of the Watch Tower Society. Known as an efficient administrator, Knorr founded the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead to train missionaries as well as the Theocratic Ministry School to train preaching and teaching at the congregational level.

Knorr's Vice-President Frederick William Franz became the leading theologian, and is believed to have been the principal translator of the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.^[24] Also produced were a Greek-English New Testament interlinear (The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures) and a Bible dictionary (Aid to Bible Understanding).^[25] The offices of elder and ministerial servant (deacon) were restored to Witness congregations in 1972, with appointments being made from headquarters.^[26] Membership rose from 115,000 to over 2 million under Knorr's leadership.

During the 1960s^[27] and early 1970s, many references appeared in Witnesses literature and assemblies suggesting Christ's thousand-year millennial reign might begin by 1975 but made no explicit prediction.^[28][29] Approximately 2% left (or became inactive) from 1975 to 1980. The number of active Witnesses has more than tripled since then. ^[30]

1976-Present

The leadership of Jehovah's Witnesses was reorganized in 1976 and the power of the presidency passed on to the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses. Subsequent presidents of the Watch Tower Society after Knorr's death in 1977 have been Frederick William Franz, Milton George Henschel and Don A. Adams. However, since 1976, doctrinal and organizational decisions have been made by the Governing Body.^[31] Witnesses no longer teach that the generation of people alive in 1914 will survive until Armageddon,^[32] but they continue to emphasize its nearness.^[33]

Jehovah's Witnesses males are currently imprisoned in Singapore for refusal to participate in the compulsory National Service.^[34]

Other examples of religious persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses are often found at their office of Public Information, found below.

Demographics

As of August 2005, Jehovah's Witnesses have a membership of more than 6.6 million actively involved in preaching.^[35] To be counted, an individual must be approved as a minister and report some activity in the ministry. Those with chronic and debilitating illness may report as little as 15 minutes of activity. In 2005, these reports indicated a total of nearly 1.3 billion hours.^[36] Jehovah's Witnesses' preaching activity is self-reported, each member submitting a 'Field Service Report' monthly.

Jehovah's Witnesses have an 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 half a million.

Organizational structure

File:Org chart.jpg

Jehovah's Witnesses are currently led by a small, ecclesiastical Governing Body. The number of men who make up the Governing Body has ranged from ten to seventeen and currently stands at ten. The Governing Body, through the departments of its various legal organizations, directs the operation of the 112 branches spread throughout the world.^[37] Members volunteer to operate these facilities. Each branch assigns circuit overseers who travel among various local congregations, spending a week with each. Within each local congregation, elders assigned by the branch organize the congregation's public ministry and schedule various speakers for congregational teaching. They also decide on qualified members of the congregation for the positions of elder or ministerial servant, requiring the approval of higher leadership.

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. Elders are unpaid, but Circuit and District overseers receive a small financial living allowance. All baptized Witnesses are considered to be ordained ministers, and are expected to be able to provide religious instruction to others. Males are encouraged to qualify to become elders. Within local congregations, the role of women is minimal in terms of responsibility, but they are a major part in the all important preaching work.

Dissemination of doctrine is done primary through the semi-monthly journal The Watchtower. As well, a variety of other publications are released on a regular basis, including many books, brochures and video productions. The New World Translation is the principal Bible translation used by these publications.

Beliefs and Practices

The following highlights some of the current beliefs and practices of Jehovah's Witnesses. As such, it reflects the point of view of Jehovah's Witnesses. Template:Mainarticles

Overview

The entire Protestant canon of scripture is considered the inspired, inerrant word of God. A literal interpretation of the Bible is usually favored, though it is acknowledged that at times biblical writers and characters employed symbolism, parable, figures of speech, and poeticism.^[38] The doctrine of sola scriptura is principal, that is, only the Bible should be used for deciding issues of doctrine. The interpretation and application of scripture is the responsibility of the Governing Body.^[39]

God is the creator and supreme being, sovereign of the universe. Using God's name, Jehovah, a derivative of the Tetragrammaton is a requirement for true worship.^[40] Jesus is God's first creation and he was used by God to create everything else.^[41] Jesus is literally the only begotten Son of God, and received his life from God. He is the one who is the means of approach to God in prayer, and is the "Chief Agent of life" and salvation for all worthy mankind.^[42] His role as mediator of the "new covenant" is limited to those going to heaven,^[43] which number totals 144,000. The vast majority of God's faithful servants will live on a renewed paradise earth.^[44] Mary was not perpetually a virgin, but rather bore more children after Jesus.^[45] The soul is the human body and consciousness, not an incorporeal entity that dwells in a physical human. Death is a state of non-existence.^[46] Hell (Hades or Sheol) is not a place of fiery torment, but rather the designated common grave of all mankind.^[47]

The period known as the "last days" began in 1914.^[48] All religions, including Witnesses themselves, will shortly come under attack by goverments leading into Armageddon, banning all forms of religion.^[49] After religion is destroyed, governments also face destruction.^[50] Any who are not deemed faithful by God will be destroyed.^[51] The fate of some, such as small children or the mentally ill, remains indeterminate.^[52] After Armageddon, an unknown number of dead people will be resurrected, with the prospect of living forever on the paradise earth.^[53]

Their view of sexual behavior reflects conservative Christian views. Abortion is considered murder.^[54] Homosexuality and premarital sex are considered sins.^[55] Modesty is heavily encouraged in dress and grooming. Gambling, an attempt to make money through the losses of others, is strictly forbidden.^[56] Practices that connote nationalism or false religion are avoided. Weddings, anniversaries, and funerals are typically observed; however, common celebrations and religious or national holidays such as Birthdays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are regarded as unchristian and not celebrated.^[57] The family structure is patriarchal. Husbands are considered the final authority on family decisions and are encouraged to actively solicit their wife's thoughts and feeling. Marriages are required to be monogamous.^[58] Vigorous efforts are made to spread their beliefs by all members throughout the world in a variety of ways, with particular emphasis on the written word. Literature is published in many languages through a wide variety of books, magazines and other publications, with a small number being available in as many as 410 languages. The preaching work is regarded as a form of humanitarian effort by giving people a hope for the future, and do not typically focus on performing aid work that some other religious groups provide, such as soup kitchens, clothing donations, or building homes for the homeless.

The most important annual event is the celebration of the Lord's Supper held after sundown on the date corresponding to Nisan 14 on the Hebrew calendar. Weekly meetings are held that feature a variety of discourses. Elders and ministerial servants deliver the majority of these, with some student discourses being given by both women and men. As well, certain segments feature audience participation. There is also involvement in relief work in disaster-stricken areas. Focus is primarily on helping fellow members while providing assistance to others in need who are near the area they are working in, based on the principle at Galations 6:10: "Really, then, as long as we have time favorable for it, let us work what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to [us] in the faith." Notable examples include relief efforts to both Hutu and Tutsi victims, during the genocide in Rwanda, as well as to Congo refugees.^[59] They have also had an active share in the relief work of hurricane Katrina.^[60]

Neutrality

Jehovah's Witnesses are politically neutral.^[61] They feel that their allegiance belongs to God's Kingdom (government). Thus they refrain from saluting the flag of any country or singing nationalistic songs.^[62] They believe that such an act would be tantamount to worshipping an idol. Members are expected 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".^[63] The political neutrality of Jehovah's Witnesses is also expressed by their refusal to participate in military service, even when such is of a compulsory nature, and by their detachment from secular politics.^[64][65] Jehovah's Witnesses are discouraged, but not prohibited under all circumstances, from voting in elections.^[66] They do not run for any political office.^[67]

Blood

Whole blood transfusions are rejected.^[68] This is based on their understanding of the biblical admonition to "keep abstaining from blood" based on Acts 15:28, 29 (NWT). According to the conscience of the particular individual, they may accept derivatives of blood. In current medical practice, whole blood transfusions are very rare, and blood derivatives are used instead. Witnesses may accept a process called normovolemic hemodilution, a treatment that processes the individual's own blood in a closed loop that does not interrupt the circulation of blood, and delivers it immediately back into the person's body. Also left to conscience are procedures where a "quantity of blood is withdrawn in order to tag it or to mix it with medicine, whereupon it is put back into the patient."^[69] Many members carry carefully prepared durable power of attorney documentation outlining their medical wishes with respect to blood.

Jehovah’s Witnesses have been known to highlight the potential dangers of blood transfusions. Witness representatives have stated that plasma volume expanders are often times sufficient to take care of various medical emergency situations.^[70]

Congregational discipline

Congregational discipline is administered by congregation elders through a judicial committee. In the event that an accusation is made concerning a baptized member and there is sufficient evidence, a tribunal or judicial committee (usually of 3 elders) is formed to administer spiritual help and correction. Marking is employed when someone who chooses a course that is ill-considered from a doctrinal standpoint, but still something for which the standard of disfellowshipping would not apply. Though such a person would not be shunned, social interaction outside of formal worship settings would generally be discouraged.^[71] Reproof involves sins which are more serious than those for which one would be "marked". Reproof is given before all who have knowledge of the transgression.^[72]

The most severe discipline administered is disfellowshipping. The standard put in place to determine if one should be disfellowshipped is the judgment of repentance. To judge repentance, members of the judicial committee ask detailed questions and review actions by the member being considered, in consultation with the Bible and guidelines as set forth by the Governing Body.^[73] Baptized members who express disagreement on any doctrine can potentially be disfellowshipped for apostasy.^[74] Once the decision to disfellowship has been made, a person has seven days to appeal. The disfellowshipping will be announced to the congregation by letting them know that the person "is no longer one of Jehovah's Witnesses". After one is disfellowshipped, all baptized members would cut off all association with that person. They would not speak to or acknowledge the person.^[75] Exceptions are sometimes made in business and family situations. If the disfellowshipped person is living in the same home with other family members who are baptized Jehovah's Witnesses spiritual contact will be curtailed. Disfellowshipped family members living outside the home would experience minimal to absolutely no contact.^[76]

Critical Views

Raymond Franz, a former third-generation Jehovah's Witness who served nine years on the Governing Body, uses Galatians 1:16-20 to support his claim that Paul of Tarsus did not view the apostles in Jerusalem as a governing body. He further contends that the council of Jerusalem was an isolated event, and that the creation of a central authority in Christianity was a 4th century development.^[77] As well, he argues a sense of guilt is imposed on those not complying with organization arrangements for field service. Further, he contends that engaging in this formal activity became an extra-scriptural requirement placed upon those wanting to qualify for eldership. Time spent helping fellow members cannot be counted toward time spent in the ministry. He further claims that an individual's spirituality is judged by the elders on this basis. Further, he is critical of the application of the phrase "house to house" (gr. "kat' oikon") found at Acts 5:42, stating it does not require the idea of consecutive door-to-door visitation. He compares 27 Bible translations, for Acts 2:46, Acts 5:42 and Acts 20:20 showing phrases such as "at home", "at your houses" and "in your homes" are used more often than "house to house".^[78] He also maintains that fear of being shunned and family break-up/loss cause people to remain members who might otherwise leave, as Jehovah's Witnesses have no provision for conscientious objectors to maintain any normal association with members. The only ways to officially leave the religion are to write a letter requesting to be disassociated (though elders may also decide a member has disassociated by their actions), or to be disfellowshipped; both entail the same set of prohibitions and penalities. Also, the judicial process itself, due to its private and nearly autonomous nature, directly contradicts the precedent found in the Bible and the organization's own teachings, and can be used in an arbitrary and punitive manner.^[79]

According to Journal of Church and State in a recent peer-reviewed article, Jehovah's Witnesses are allowed to accept blood provided it is in the form of blood fractions. Kerry Louderback-Wood, the author, alleges that to label the currently acceptable blood fractions as "minute" in relation to whole blood, causes followers to misunderstand the scope and extent of allowed fractions. She also claims Witness publications exaggerate the medical risks of taking blood and the efficacy of non-blood medical therapies in critical situations.^[80]

Controversy and opposition

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Throughout their history, the beliefs, doctrines and practices of Jehovah's Witnesses have met controversy and opposition from governments, communities and religious groups. Many Christian denominations consider their interpretations and doctrines to be heresy. Jehovah's Witnesses teach that the world's religions and governments are instruments of Satan used to detract from the "true" worship of God. They believe that eventually, God will use the governments of the world to destroy these religions, which they teach to be the "harlot" riding on the back of the seven-headed beast (world governments) in the book of Revelation, and that in turn, God will then eliminate these governments at Armageddon. Because of these beliefs, governments of various political persuasions have considered the religion to be a subversive organization, and sometimes even a threat to national security, stemming from their opposition to belonging to a government party, saluting a national flag, or to take up arms in support of their country of residence.

Political and religious animosity against them has at times led to mob action and government oppression.

Some communities have also opposed the building of facilities (such as Kingdom Halls) and the holding of large conventions in their areas. Though such opposition is at times specifically directed at the religious group, at other times more mundane concerns are involved, such as 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.

See also

• Religious Rejection of Politics
• Knocking, a documentary on Witnesses produced in 2006

References

Further reading

Watch Tower resources

See also: List of Jehovah's Witnesses literature

• Official Website of Jehovah's Witnesses
• Authorized Site of the Office of Public Information of Jehovah's Witnesses

Other Sources

• 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. Read selections from: Google Book Search - Publisher: University of Toronto Press. ISBN 0802079733 (Canada, 1998)
• BBC Religion: Jehovah's Witnesses
• 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.
• Crisis of Conscience by Raymond Franz, a former Jehovah's Witness who was a member of the Governing Body 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. Sample chapters online: 1, 9, 10, 11, 12. Publisher: Commentary Press. 420 pages. Hardback ISBN 0914675249. Paperback ISBN 0914675230. 4th edition (June 2002)
• Free minds - Detailed discussions about Jehovah's Witnesses' doctrines, history, and claims from a critical perspective.
• The Gentile Times Reconsidered: Chronology & Christ's Return by Carl O. Jonsson. Jonsson considers the origin of the belief that the Gentile Times began in 607 B.C. and examines several lines of evidence and the methodology for deriving it. ISBN 0914675060 Publisher: Commentary Press (July, 1998, Fourth edition 2004)
• Jehovah's Witnesses Defended by Greg Stafford. Mr. Stafford reviews and thoroughly explores the most common, and/or prevalent, criticisms made about Jehovah's Witnesses and the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society. http://elihubooks.com/books/
• 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.
• Jerusalem 607 BCE - A website that defends Jehovah's Witnesses' belief that Jerusalem fell in 607 B.C. and lay desolate for 70 years according to their interpretation of the bible. The site examines claims to the contrary made by Carl O. Jonsson and others.
• A People for His Name: A History of Jehovah's Witnesses and an Evaluation by Timothy White (pseudonym for Anthony Wills). White explores the Witnesses' doctrinal growth and shifts and notes schisms from the main body. 418 pages. Publisher: The Vantage Press, 1967.
• Reasoning From the Scriptures with the Jehovah's Witnesses by Ron Rhodes. 444 pages. Harvest House Publishers, 1993. Written from an Evangelical Christian perspective, this book is designed to aid them in dialogues with Witnesses. Sample chapter online ISBN 1565071069
• Strictly Genteel Theocratic Resources - Scans of complete books and booklets from Russell's era to Knorr's. The "site is maintained by one of Jehovah's Witnesses who fully supports the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society." Emphasis is on literature not found in the Watchtower Library CD-ROM.