Jehovah's Witnesses
Watchtower Buildings in Brooklyn, New York
Classification	Restorationist
Polity	Hierarchical
Founder	Charles Taze Russell (founded Bible Student movement)
Origin	1876 - Bible Students founded 1931 - Adopted name Pennsylvania and New York, USA
Branched from	Millerite and Adventist movements
Separations	See Jehovah's Witnesses splinter groups
Geographical Area	Worldwide
Statistics
Congregations	101,376
Members	7 million
Statistics from 2008 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses

Jehovah's Witnesses are members of a restorationist^[1][2] religious denomination of the same name. For other usages see Restoration (general disambiguation Apokatastasis (universal restoration Christian Zionism (restoration of Israel and Ecclesiastical polity is the operational and governance structure of a Church or Christian denomination. The Organisational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses is a religious Hierarchy. Charles Taze Russell ( February 16, 1852 &ndash October 31, 1916) also known as Pastor Russell, was a Protestant The Bible Student movement is the name adopted by a Protestant religious movement with premillennialist expectations that emerged from the teachings and Year 1876 ( MDCCCLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year Year 1931 ( MCMXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1931 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ( often colloquially referred to as PA (its abbreviation by natives and Northeasterners is a state located in the Northeastern New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The term Adventist generally refers to someone who believes in the Second Advent of Jesus (popularly known as the Second coming) in the tradition of the Millerites While the legal entities founded by Charles Taze Russell (the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society and the International Bible Students Association) have always For other usages see Restoration (general disambiguation Apokatastasis (universal restoration Christian Zionism (restoration of Israel and The religion emerged from the Bible Student Movement, founded in the late 19th century by Charles Taze Russell. The Bible Student movement is the name adopted by a Protestant religious movement with premillennialist expectations that emerged from the teachings and Charles Taze Russell ( February 16, 1852 &ndash October 31, 1916) also known as Pastor Russell, was a Protestant The name, "Jehovah's Witnesses", based on Isaiah 43:10, was adopted at a 1931 convention of Bible students while under the leadership of Joseph Franklin Rutherford. Joseph Franklin Rutherford ( 8 November 1869 — 8 January 1942) often referred to as "Judge" Rutherford was the second president of Identification of the religion as Christian, among other controversies, is debated largely owing to their disputing the Trinity, which most Christian religions regard as a fundamental doctrine. A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth Jehovah's Witnesses have experienced controversy in their relationships with mainstream Christianity governments former members and the general public SSC RF "Troitsk Institute of Innovative and Termonuclear Research" or TRINITY for shprt Троицкий Институт инновационных и термоядерных They believe God (Jehovah) is the creator, and Jesus (His son) is separate and not equal.

Contents 1 Beliefs 1.1 Jehovah 1.2 Jesus 1.3 Salvation 1.4 Authority of the Bible 1.5 Ethics and morality 1.6 Avoidance of Interfaith Activity 1.7 Relationship with governments 1.8 Proselytization 1.9 Aid work 1.10 The Memorial 1.11 Education 1.12 Congregational discipline 1.13 Blood 2 History 2.1 Russell and Barbour 2.2 Russell's break with Barbour 2.3 Presidency of Joseph Franklin Rutherford 2.4 Nathan Knorr, reorganization, and subsequent Presidents 3 Demographics 4 Organizational structure 5 Publications 6 Controversy 7 See also 8 References 9 Further reading 9.1 Books 10 External links 10.1 Official sites 10.2 Other sites

Beliefs

Main article: Beliefs and practices of Jehovah's Witnesses

Jehovah

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that, according to the Bible, God has a personal name, the Tetragrammaton, which is traditionally rendered in English Jehovah (Psalm 83:18). See also Yahweh Tetragrammaton (from the Greek, meaning ' of four letters' (tetra "four" + gramma (gen Yahweh|God in Abrahamic religions Jehovah is an English reading of, the most frequent form of the Tetragrammaton, the name of God in the Hebrew Bible, in Psalm 83 is the last of the Psalms of Asaph, which include Psalms 50 and 73-83 They view the use of the name as essential for true worship, since it makes God more personal and, according to its meaning in Hebrew, it inspires solid faith in the fulfillment of His promises. The name Jehovah is mentioned over 7,000 times in the scriptures (or Bible). Jehovah is regarded as Almighty God, the supreme being and creator of everything, the sovereign of the universe. They believe that Jehovah's main qualities are love, justice, wisdom, and power, and that these qualities are consistently demonstrated throughout the Bible.

Jesus

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus is the only-begotten Son of Jehovah. Jesus of Nazareth (7–2 BC / BCE —26–36 AD / CE) They believe that Jehovah and Jesus Christ are separate beings, and that the Holy Spirit is Jehovah's active force. Jesus of Nazareth (7–2 BC / BCE —26–36 AD / CE) In mainstream Christianity, the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost is one of the three entities of the Holy Trinity which make up the single substance Christ is regarded as the only means by which to approach Jehovah in prayer, and the means of salvation. Christ is the English term for the Greek ( Khristós) meaning "the anointed " Prayer is the act of attempting to communicate with a Deity or spirit In Theology, salvation can mean three related things being saved from or Liberation from something such as Suffering or the punishment of ^[3] They believe that Jesus is the head of the Christian Congregation. They believe that Jesus is also the archangel, Michael, as well as Abaddon/Appolyon from the book of Revelation. Archangels are superior or higher-ranking Angels Archangels are found in a number of religious traditions including Islam, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism Michael (מִיכָאֵל Micha'el or Mîkhā'ēl; Μιχαήλ Mikhaíl; Michael or Míchaël; ميخائيل Mikhā'īl) is an Abaddon ( Hebrew אבדון Avaddon, meaning "destruction"

Salvation

See also: Soteriology

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus' death was necessary to atone for the sin brought into the world by the first man, Adam, opening the way for the hope of everlasting life for mankind, and that 144,000 anointed Christians will receive immortal life in heaven as co-rulers with Christ, ruling over the rest of mankind during the Millennial Reign. Soteriology is the branch of theology that deals with Salvation. See also Adam and Eve Adam ( Hebrew: אָדָם was according to a literal interpretation of Genesis, the first man created by This is an article on sociological Millennialism You may be looking for the article on Christian Premillennialism. Witnesses believe that during the imminent war of Armageddon, the wicked will be destroyed, and survivors, along with millions of others who will be resurrected, will form a new earthly society ruled by a heavenly government and have the possibility of living forever in an earthly paradise. In Christian mythology Armageddon ( Greek Αρμαγεδδων; also spelled Har-Magedon in some modern English translations also known as Paradise is a word of Persian origin ( Persian: پردیس Pardìs) that is generally identified with the Garden of Eden or with Heaven.

The vast majority of Jehovah's Witnesses expect to live on a renewed paradise on Earth. ^[4] The Holy Spirit is not a person but is God's active force. In mainstream Christianity, the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost is one of the three entities of the Holy Trinity which make up the single substance ^[5] The soul is the person itself, not an immortal immaterial entity that dwells inside the body. The soul, according to many religious and philosophical beliefs is the self-awareness, or Consciousness, unique to a particular living ^[6] Thus, souls of deceased persons are considered dead, and death itself is a state of non-existence with no consciousness. ^[7] Hades or Sheol is the designated common grave of all mankind. See also Intermediate state Sheol|Hell in Christianity Hades is "the place or state of departed spirits" Sheol (pronounced "Sheh-ole" in Hebrew שאול (Sh'ol is the "abode of the dead" the " Underworld " "the common They do not believe in any Hell of fiery torment. Hell, according to many Religious beliefs, is a location in the Afterlife, which may be described as a place of suffering ^[8][9] Jehovah's Witnesses believe that October of 1914 marks the return, or "presence", of Christ as king of God's kingdom, which is understood to have occurred invisibly in heaven. They believe that his first act as king was to throw Satan out of heaven. In 1918, those of the 144,000 who had died are believed to have been resurrected as spirit creatures to heavenly life. Since then, any remaining members of the 144,000 who die are believed to be immediately resurrected to heavenly life, based on their understanding of 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52. Armageddon is considered to be imminent. In Christian mythology Armageddon ( Greek Αρμαγεδδων; also spelled Har-Magedon in some modern English translations also known as ^[10] After false religion is destroyed, governments also face destruction. ^[11] Publications of Jehovah's Witnesses have stated that only those serving Jehovah will survive God's judgment of the world. ^[12] They also teach that it is up to Jesus, and not people, to judge individuals. ^[13] Regarding the fate of some, such as small children or the mentally ill, the Witnesses say "we may not know how Jehovah will resolve these issues. He will do so, however, in a righteous and merciful way. " ^[14][15] After Armageddon, the majority of mankind who have died, both righteous and unrighteous, will be resurrected, with the chance of being judged righteous and living forever in paradise. In Christian mythology Armageddon ( Greek Αρμαγεδδων; also spelled Har-Magedon in some modern English translations also known as ^[16][17]

Authority of the Bible

Jehovah's Witnesses consider the entire Biblical canon, excluding the Apocrypha, to be the inspired word of God. A Biblical canon or canon of scripture is a list or Set of Biblical books considered to be authoritative as Scripture by a particular religious They prefer their own translation of the Bible, the New World Translation, first published in 1950 by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures ( NWT) is a modern-language translation of the Bible published by Jehovah's Witnesses, published in The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, a Not-for-profit organization headquartered in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, ^[18]While they interpret some scriptures literally,^[19] they believe that Biblical writers and characters often employed symbolism, parable, figures of speech, and poeticism. "Symbolic" redirects here For other uses see Symbolism (disambiguation and Symbolic (disambiguation. A parable is a brief succinct story in Prose or verse, that illustrates a Moral or Religious lesson A figure of speech, sometimes ^[20] Thus, they insist that they are not 'fundamentalists,' who they feel are in error in taking a strictly literal view of the Bible. ^[21][22][23] They hold that the Bible alone should be used for determining issues of doctrine. Interpretation of scripture and codification of doctrines is considered the responsibility of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses. The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses is a body of elders who oversee all the activities of the denomination ^[24]

Ethics and morality

Their view of morality reflects some of the usual conservative Christian views. Bestiality, homosexuality, incest, fornication and adultery are considered serious sins. Homosexuality refers to sexual behavior with or attraction to people of the same sex or to a Homosexual orientation. Incest refers to any sexual activity between closely related persons (often within the immediate family that is illegal or socially Taboo. Fornication, or simple fornication is a term which refers to voluntary Sexual intercourse between persons not married to each other Sin is a term used mainly in a religious context to describe an act that violates a moral Rule, or the state of having committed such a violation ^[25] Abortion is considered murder. Murder is the unlawful killing of another human person with Malice aforethought, as defined in Common Law countries ^[26] They are instructed to marry only within their religion. Modesty in dress and grooming is frequently emphasised. Gambling is strictly forbidden,^[27] as are stealing and drunkenness. The family structure is patriarchal. Patriarchy is the structuring of Society on the basis of Family units where fathers have primary responsibility for the welfare of hence authority over The husband is considered the final authority on family decisions, but is encouraged to solicit his wife's thoughts and feelings, as well as those of his children. Marriages are required to be monogamous. Monogamy is the custom or condition of having only one mate in a Relationship, thus forming a Couple. ^[28] Divorce is condemned for any reason other than adultery. Abuse is considered grounds for separation. Blood should not be taken into the body from any source. As such they abstain from eating blood and from blood transfusions. Blood transfusion is the process of transferring Blood or blood-based products from one person into the Circulatory system of another

Avoidance of Interfaith Activity

The Witness contend that the Bible has always condemned the mixing of religions because there can only be one truth from God. ^[29][30] They believe only their religion represents true Christianity. They believe that all other religions fail to meet all the requirements set by God and will be done away with. ^[31] Weddings, anniversaries, and funerals are typically observed; however, common celebrations or national holidays such as birthdays (based on the biblical account of Pharaoh at Genesis 40:20-22 and the biblical account of King Herod at Matthew 14:6-10), Halloween, Easter, and Christmas are regarded as pagan holidays owing to their origins and are not celebrated. Birthday is the name given to the date of the anniversary of a person's birth Halloween, or Hallowe’en, is a Holiday celebrated on the night of October 31. Easter ( Greek: Πάσχα Pascha or Pasxa) is the most important religious feast in the Christian Liturgical year. ^[32] The Witnesses are opposed to 'councils' that unite or combine different religions. ^[33]

Relationship with governments

Jehovah's Witnesses believe their allegiance belongs to God's Kingdom, which is viewed as an actual government. Thus they refrain from saluting the flag of any country or singing nationalistic songs. ^{[34] [35]} They believe that these acts are tantamount to worship. The political neutrality of Jehovah's Witnesses is also expressed by their refusal to participate in military service - even when it is compulsory - and by their detachment from secular politics. Voting in political elections is considered a compromise of their Christian neutrality.

Still, members are expected to obey all laws of their native governments, so long as these do not violate what they view as God's law. ^[36][37] They are instructed to pay all taxes of the country in which they reside, considering the government to be solely responsible for how they are used. ^[38][39]

Proselytization

Witnesses are perhaps best known for the efforts to spread their beliefs throughout the world. They do this mainly by visiting people house to house. ^[40][41] Free home Bible studies are offered to persons having questions or interest in their beliefs. They use Watchtower publications to explain their beliefs. Literature is published in many languages through a wide variety of books, magazines and other publications, with some publications being available in as many as 410 languages. A Book is a set or collection of written printed illustrated or blank sheets made of Paper, Parchment, or other material usually fastened together Magazines, periodicals or serials are Publications generally published on a regular schedule containing a variety of articles, generally Witnesses are instructed to devote as much time as possible in preaching activities.

They believe that their preaching work is a form of humanitarian effort by helping people apply Biblical principles to improve their lives, and that their preaching work gives people hope for the future. ^[42][43][44] Members are required to participate in the preaching work and if possible to give a voluntary donation to the Watchtower Society's "Worldwide Work" fund. ^[45] (An umbrella fund used to support the various aspects of their work. )^[46]

Aid work

Aid work after large natural disasters is considered an important part of their work, though secondary to their preaching effort. Large sums of donated money are used in the affected areas to rebuild communities and provide aid. The focus of relief efforts is primarily on helping fellow members and rebuilding Kingdom Halls, but usually, assistance is provided to non-members in need near the area in which they are working. Kingdom Hall is the term for the meeting place for Jehovah's Witnesses. ^[47][48] Examples of relief work include that provided to Hutu and Tutsi victims rebuilding (Kingdom halls) during the Rwandan genocide, as well as to Congo refugees. The The Tutsi are one of three native Peoples of the nations of Rwanda and Burundi in central Africa, the other two being the Twa The Rwandan Genocide was the 1994 mass killing of hundreds of thousands of Rwanda 's minority Tutsis and the moderates of its Hutu majority The Democratic Republic of the Congo (République démocratique du Congo often referred to as DR Congo, DRC or RDC, and formerly known or referred to ^[49] Witnesses have also had an active share in the relief work and rebuilding Kingdom Halls after Hurricane Katrina in the United States of America. Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the costliest hurricane, as well as one of the five deadliest in the history of the United States ^[50]

The Memorial

See also: Beliefs and practices of Jehovah's Witnesses#Memorial of Christ's death

Their most important annual event is the commemoration of Jesus' death (referred to as "the Memorial") held after sundown, on the date corresponding to the date of the Hebrew Passover, Nisan 14 on the Hebrew calendar (usually in March or April). The beliefs and practices of Jehovah's Witnesses are based on the Bible teachings of its founder Charles Taze Russell and his successors Joseph Franklin This article is about the Jewish month of Nisan See Nissan Motors for the automobile manufacturer The Hebrew calendar (הלוח העברי ha'luach ha'ivri) or Jewish calendar is a Lunisolar calendar used by Jews for predominantly religious ^[51] Typically, in most congregations, no one partakes in drinking the wine or eating the bread during this annual event, because only the members of the 144,000 or "The Anointed" partake of the emblems of the wine and unleavened bread. Instead most Jehovah's Witnesses pass the wine and the bread around the congregation. Citing the words at 1Corinthians 11:27, they believe that those who partake unworthily in the emblems will be judged by Jehovah. According to witness publications, as of 2008, about 9,000+ persons - an increase from the previous year - did partake of the emblems. These anointed ones anticipate being resurrected to heaven after their death. Anyone is invited to view this event, invitations are handed out about one month before the event. Almost all Witnesses today believe their future hope is to live after Armageddon, on a paradise earth which will be governed by Jesus and his heavenly government.

Education

Higher education (equivalent to bachelor's degree or higher) is not a focus for most Witness youth. ^[52] Jehovah's Witnesses are instructed to make spiritual matters the top priority in their life since the Witnesses view time as short for their global ministry. Higher education is considered a matter of conscience to be decided individually. If chosen it should be kept secondary to spiritual responsibilities. ^[53] The Witnesses cite Jesus' training as a carpenter as a practical example of secular training that doesn't overshadow service to God. The point of this analogy is that secondary education should ideally provide specialized skills to care for one's personal needs rather than to pursue status or prestige. ^[54] Members are instructed to carefully consider what Witnesses perceive as a difficult balance between spiritual requirements and the costs in terms of time and financial resources. Parents are instructed to emphasize religious goals for their children while ensuring that they can provide for their own needs financially. ^{[55][56] [57]} Another concern is that college may expose youths to numerous associations and activities viewed as harmful. Members are directed to ask themselves questions, such as, "How might being immersed in an atmosphere of intense competition and selfish materialism affect you?"^[58] A similar question cites a study stating that in some universities "Drugs and alcohol are used freely, and promiscuity is the rule" and asks "might living there thwart your efforts to remain morally clean?"^[59] But if they must attend a university, they are instructed to keep themselves "spiritually strong". Young Witnesses are reminded that "some youths who have been obliged to attend university have even managed to be pioneers (full time Witness ministers) by choosing a schedule of courses that made that possible. "^[60][61][62]

Jehovah's Witnesses provide various education programmes for their members. Some examples are the Theocratic Ministry School, Pioneer Service School, Ministerial Training School, Gilead School and others, specifically focussed on improving skills for their ministry.

Congregational discipline

Main article: Jehovah's Witnesses and congregational discipline

Jehovah's Witnesses employ various levels of congregational discipline administered by elders in the congregation. Jehovah's Witnesses employ various levels of congregational discipline as formal controls administered by elders in the congregation These include:^[63][64][65]

Disfellowshipping is the most severe form of discipline. Congregation members, including family members, avoid social and/or spiritual association with disfellowshipped individuals. ^[66] Disfellowshipped members can attend Kingdom Hall meetings, but are not allowed to take an active part in meetings or the ministry. ^[67] Each year, the elders make an attempt to remind disfellowshipped ones of the steps they can take to qualify for reinstatement.

Reproof involves sins for which one could be disfellowshipped. But if “true repentance” is shown, the person may not be disfellowshipped, but merely reproved. ^[68] Reproof may be given before all who have knowledge of the transgression. ^[69] In some cases it is deemed necessary to make an announcement to the congregation that "(so and so) has been reproved. "^[70]

Marking is employed when a member persists in conduct that is considered a clear violation of Scriptural principles, yet not of a sufficient seriousness to warrant disfellowshipping (shunning). Shunning is the act of deliberately avoiding association with and habitually keeping away from an individual or group Marking is based on their understanding of 2 Thessalonians 3:6. It is used only if the person repeatedly refuses counsel^[71] and the elders feel that not addressing it would pose a "spiritual danger" to the members of the congregation. A talk may be given regarding the conduct (without naming the individual). ^[72] Though such a person would not be shunned, social interaction outside of formal worship settings would be minimized. ^[73]

Regarding child abuse, unless a confession is made, the religion will take judicial action only on cases where there have been two witnesses, based on the principle at Deuteronomy 19:15 - "No single witness should rise up against a man . . . At the mouth of two . . . or . . . three witnesses the matter should stand good". However, the elders are expected to report the allegation to the branch office of Jehovah's Witnesses . . . if local privacy laws permit. They also comply with laws requiring even uncorroborated or unsubstantiated allegations to be reported to the authorities. Additionally, the victim may wish to report the matter to the authorities, and it is his or her absolute right to do so. "^[74][75] In 1997 it was also stated that, "for the protection of our children, a man known to have been a child molester does not qualify for a responsible position in the congregation"^[76] Announcements to the congregation would follow organization policy regarding 'serious sins'. ^[77] Disfellowshipped Witnesses can be reinstated if they are deemed by the elders to show true repentance, including consistent meeting attendance while being shunned. After a period of time, usually several months or longer, of behaviour considered acceptable the individual may inform the elders in writing of his desire to be reinstated. ^[78] The Judicial Committee then arranges to meet with the individual to determine eligibility for reinstatement. ^[79] If they choose to reinstate the individual, an announcement of reinstatement is made at the Service meeting.

Blood

Main article: Jehovah's Witnesses and blood

The official teaching of Jehovah's Witnesses regards blood as sacred and rejects allogeneic and stored^[80] autologous transfusions of whole blood, red cells, white cells, platelets or plasma. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the Bible prohibits eating blood and that this includes the storage and transfusion of Blood, including in cases of emergency Blood transfusion is the process of transferring Blood or blood-based products from one person into the Circulatory system of another ^[81] This is based on an understanding of the Biblical admonition to " abstain from . . . blood," based on Acts 15:28, 29, and also on Leviticus 17:11,12, "For the life of the flesh is in the blood . . . No soul of you shall eat blood," and of Genesis 9:3, 4, which they understand to be the first instance of "the Bible’s clear prohibition against taking blood into the body. "^[82]

Their belief is that "collecting, storing, and transfusing of blood directly contradicts what is said in Leviticus and Deuteronomy," (that blood should be "poured out"). Their position is they do not "store for transfusion our blood that should be ‘poured out. "^[83] Beyond what is stated in Watchtower literature, it is considered a personal decision regarding how a member's "own blood will be handled in the course of a surgical procedure, medical test, or current therapy. "^[84] While Witnesses may not accept red cells, white cells, platelets or plasma, they may choose to accept fractions made from these components. ^[85][86] If a fraction, "makes up a significant portion of that component" or "carries out the key function of a primary component" it may be objectionable to some but is permissible. ^[87]

Witness publications have acknowledged that abiding by this doctrine has led to deaths due to blood loss, but there are no published statistics on total deaths. ^[88] Witnesses also cite various health risks associated with blood transfusions, including HIV, hepatitis, and other blood-borne diseases, sometimes resulting in death. ^[89] However, they indicate that such medical risks are secondary to their religious reasons for refusing blood.

Ethical concerns of medical and legal persons involved in managing blood crisis situations in pediatric cases has sometimes led to transfusions being administered to children against family wishes. ^[90] Some medical ethicists contend that "serious ethical violations are currently used to enforce the blood policy" among Jehovah's Witnesses, including the suppression of dissident views within the religion. ^[91] Witness leaders have defended these policies as obedience to scripture and religious conscience. ^[92]

A growing number of hospitals are offering bloodless techniques in medicine and surgery. ^[93] A number of medical professionals have credited Jehovah's Witnesses and their related organizations for their contribution to the dissemination of information regarding bloodless surgery techniques. ^[94][95] Experts in the medical surgical profession have collaborated with Jehovah's Witnesses to produce information regarding the benefits of bloodless techniques and therapies. ^[96]

Baptized Witnesses who willingly violate the prohibition on blood are subject to being "disfellowshipped" (organized communal shunning). ^{[97][98][99][100] [101][102]}

History

Part of a series on Jehovah's Witnesses
About Jehovah's Witnesses
Demographics
Organizational structure
Governing Body · Legal instruments Faithful and Discreet Slave
History
Bible Student movement Jehovah's Witnesses splinter groups
Government interactions
Supreme Court cases
Persecution
United States · Canada Nazi Germany
Controversies
Beliefs
Beliefs and practices
God's name · Eschatology Blood · Disfellowshipping
Literature
The Watchtower · Awake! New World Translation
Digital Files
Watchtower MP3 | Awake MP3
Related people
Formative influences
C.T. Russell · William Miller N.H. Barbour · Jonas Wendell
Watchtower Presidents
J.F. Rutherford · N.H. Knorr F.W. Franz · M.G. Henschel D.A. Adams
Notable Watchtower Officials
Hayden C. Covington · A. H. Macmillan
Notable Former Jehovah's Witnesses
Raymond Franz · James Penton Olin R. Moyle
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Main articles: History of Jehovah's Witnesses, Eschatology of Jehovah's Witnesses, Jehovah's Witnesses and governments, and Persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses

Jehovah's Witnesses originated with the religious movement known as Bible Students, which was founded in the late 1870s by Charles Taze Russell. As of August 2007 Jehovah's Witnesses have an average membership of approximately 6 The Organisational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses is a religious Hierarchy. The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses is a body of elders who oversee all the activities of the denomination Bible verses quoted from the New World Translation except where noted The spiritual authority among Jehovah's Witnesses is vested The history of Jehovah's Witnesses dates from 1872 when Charles Taze Russell began to lead a Bible study group in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania The Bible Student movement is the name adopted by a Protestant religious movement with premillennialist expectations that emerged from the teachings and While the legal entities founded by Charles Taze Russell (the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society and the International Bible Students Association) have always Jehovah's Witnesses maintain that in the majority of countries they have legal status or are recognized as to having basic rights afforded them similar to those of mainstream Internationally there have been numerous Supreme Court cases involving Jehovah's Witnesses. See also Jehovah's Witnesses and governments Throughout the history of Jehovah's Witnesses, their beliefs doctrines and practices have engendered See also Persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses Throughout the history of Jehovah's Witnesses, their beliefs doctrines and practices have engendered controversy See also Persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses Walter Tarnopolsky, Canada's leading legal authority on civil liberties stated The best testing of the standard See also Persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses Jehovah's Witnesses endured intense persecution under the Nazi regime between 1933 and 1945 Jehovah's Witnesses have experienced controversy in their relationships with mainstream Christianity governments former members and the general public The beliefs and practices of Jehovah's Witnesses are based on the Bible teachings of its founder Charles Taze Russell and his successors Joseph Franklin Yahweh|God in Abrahamic religions Jehovah is an English reading of, the most frequent form of the Tetragrammaton, the name of God in the Hebrew Bible, in The Eschatology of Jehovah's Witnesses is central to their religious beliefs Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the Bible prohibits eating blood and that this includes the storage and transfusion of Blood, including in cases of emergency Jehovah's Witnesses employ various levels of congregational discipline as formal controls administered by elders in the congregation Jehovah's Witnesses have been producing a large amount of literature since 1879. The Watchtower ( is a monthly illustrated religious Magazine, printed and published by Jehovah's Witnesses via the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society Awake! ( is a Magazine published by Jehovah's Witnesses, considered to be a companion magazine of The Watchtower. The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures ( NWT) is a modern-language translation of the Bible published by Jehovah's Witnesses, published in Charles Taze Russell ( February 16, 1852 &ndash October 31, 1916) also known as Pastor Russell, was a Protestant William Miller (1782–1849 was an American Baptist Preacher, whose followers have been termed Millerites. Nelson H Barbour, (1824–1905 a Millerite Adventist (see Millerites) born in Throopsville (misspelled Toupsville in a newspaper profile a village near Auburn, Elder Jonas Wendell ( December 25, 1815 - August 14, 1873) of Edenboro, Pennsylvania, was a zealous Adventist Joseph Franklin Rutherford ( 8 November 1869 — 8 January 1942) often referred to as "Judge" Rutherford was the second president of Nathan Homer Knorr ( April 23, 1905 - June 8, 1977) was the third president of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, becoming so Frederick William Franz ( September 12 1893 – December 22 1992) served as President of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, the Milton George Henschel ( August 9, 1920 - March 22, 2003) was a longtime member of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, who succeeded Don Alden Adams is the current president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, the most important of the Legal instruments of Jehovah's Witnesses Hayden C Covington ( January 19, 1911 – November 19, 1978) was legal counsel for the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society during Alexander Hugh Macmillan ( June 2 1877 - August 26, 1966) also referred to as A Raymond Franz (born 1922 was a member of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses from 1971 until May 22 1980, and served at the organization's James Penton is a Professor emeritus of History at the University of Lethbridge in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. Olin R Moyle was legal counsel for the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society from 1935 to 1939 on staff at the headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses in Brooklyn The history of Jehovah's Witnesses dates from 1872 when Charles Taze Russell began to lead a Bible study group in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania The Eschatology of Jehovah's Witnesses is central to their religious beliefs Jehovah's Witnesses maintain that in the majority of countries they have legal status or are recognized as to having basic rights afforded them similar to those of mainstream See also Jehovah's Witnesses and governments Throughout the history of Jehovah's Witnesses, their beliefs doctrines and practices have engendered The Bible Student movement is the name adopted by a Protestant religious movement with premillennialist expectations that emerged from the teachings and Charles Taze Russell ( February 16, 1852 &ndash October 31, 1916) also known as Pastor Russell, was a Protestant Various splinter groups arose after Russell's death, particularly with the beginning of the presidency of Russell's successor, Joseph Franklin Rutherford. Joseph Franklin Rutherford ( 8 November 1869 — 8 January 1942) often referred to as "Judge" Rutherford was the second president of Those who remained supportive of the Watchtower Society, in 1931 came to adopt the name Jehovah's Witnesses, under Rutherford's leadership. The Watchtower Society is the collective name for the legal instruments used by Jehovah's Witnesses to represent the organization in various juridical matters Some of the splinter groups survive to this day, though few of these have upwards of 1000 adherents (see splinter groups article). While the legal entities founded by Charles Taze Russell (the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society and the International Bible Students Association) have always While the legal entities founded by Charles Taze Russell (the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society and the International Bible Students Association) have always Those who did not support Rutherford formed various Bible Student groups which have retained Russell's teachings. The Bible Student movement is the name adopted by a Protestant religious movement with premillennialist expectations that emerged from the teachings and Jehovah's Witnesses no longer use "Bible Students" as a formal name for their religion.

Russell and Barbour

In the early 1870s, Russell organized a Bible study group composed mostly of Second Adventists (a group that arose after the Millerite Great Disappointment) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Charles Taze Russell ( February 16, 1852 &ndash October 31, 1916) also known as Pastor Russell, was a Protestant The Advent Christian Church is a "first-day" body of Adventist Christians founded on the teachings of William Miller. The Great Disappointment was a major event in the history of the Millerite movement, a 19th century American Christian sect. ^[103]

An interest in Bible prophecy was sparked, in part, by Jonas Wendell. Prophecy, generally describes the disclosing of Information that is not known to the Prophet by any ordinary means Elder Jonas Wendell ( December 25, 1815 - August 14, 1873) of Edenboro, Pennsylvania, was a zealous Adventist In 1876, Russell met Nelson H. Barbour and subsequently adopted Barbour's eschatology. Nelson H Barbour, (1824–1905 a Millerite Adventist (see Millerites) born in Throopsville (misspelled Toupsville in a newspaper profile a village near Auburn, Eschatology (from the Greek, Eschatos meaning "last" and -logy meaning "the study of" is a part of Theology Barbour had predicted the visible return of Christ at 1873, and when that failed to occur, he revised the prediction to 1874. ^[104][105] Soon after Barbour's second disappointment, his group decided Christ had returned invisibly to Earth in 1874. ^[106] They differed from most Second Adventists, teaching that all mankind descending from Adam would be given a chance to live in a paradise on Earth. In 1877, Barbour and Russell jointly published the book The Three Worlds detailing their views. ^[107] A gathering of the saints to heaven was expected for 1878 and the year 1914 was to mark the end of Gentile control of the city of Jerusalem and the final end of the rule of human governments, marking a forty-year period from 1874. ^[108] By 1877, a separation between the Barbour-Russell group and the Advent Christian denomination was apparent. ^[109]

Russell's break with Barbour

In July 1879, Russell broke with Barbour after Barbour discounted the worth of what is known as the substitutionary atonement^[110] and he soon began publishing his own magazine, Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence (now known as The Watchtower). Substitutionary atonement is a Doctrine in Christian theology which states that Jesus of Nazareth died &ndash intentionally and willingly &ndash The Watchtower ( is a monthly illustrated religious Magazine, printed and published by Jehovah's Witnesses via the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society ^[111] After the break, Russell retained the bulk of Barbour's eschatological views. ^[112] He also maintained the Adventist rejection of the traditional view of Hell and by 1882 had rejected the doctrine of the Trinity. Hell, according to many Religious beliefs, is a location in the Afterlife, which may be described as a place of suffering SSC RF "Troitsk Institute of Innovative and Termonuclear Research" or TRINITY for shprt Троицкий Институт инновационных и термоядерных ^[113] In 1881 he 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). A non-profit organization ( abbreviated "NPO" also "not-for-profit" is a legally constituted Organization whose objective is to support or engage The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, a Not-for-profit organization headquartered in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, The City of New York ^[114] In 1884, it was incorporated, with Russell as president. He authored the six-volume series, Studies in the Scriptures. ^[115] Early editions predicted that Armageddon would culminate in the year 1914. In Christian mythology Armageddon ( Greek Αρμαγεδδων; also spelled Har-Magedon in some modern English translations also known as ^[116] Various statements assuring the accuracy and authority of their predictions were issued, such as "We see no reason for changing the figures — nor could we change them if we would. They are, we believe, God’s dates, not ours. But bear in mind that the end of 1914 is not the date for the beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble. "^[117] In contrast, Russell also wrote regarding his expectations: "We are not prophesying; we are merely giving our surmises . . . We do not even aver that there is no mistake in our interpretation of prophecy and our calculations of chronology. We have merely laid these before you, leaving it for each to exercise his own faith or doubt in respect to them. "^[118] In 1914, Russell founded the International Bible Students Association in the United Kingdom. The legal title International Bible Students Association is a corporation used by Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located

Presidency of Joseph Franklin Rutherford

Following Russell's death on October 31, 1916, an editorial committee of five was set up to supervise the writing of the Watch Tower magazine, as set forth in Russell's Last Will and Testament. Joseph Franklin Rutherford ( 8 November 1869 — 8 January 1942) often referred to as "Judge" Rutherford was the second president of In Common law, a will or testament is a document by which a person (the Testator) regulates the rights of others over his or her Property ^[119] On January 6, 1917, Joseph Franklin Rutherford (also known as "Judge" Rutherford) was elected second President of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. Joseph Franklin Rutherford ( 8 November 1869 — 8 January 1942) often referred to as "Judge" Rutherford was the second president of A power struggle soon developed between Rutherford and four of the seven-member Board of Directors of the Society. ^[120] Matters reached a climax on July 17, 1917 as the book The Finished Mystery was released to the headquarters staff in Brooklyn. ^[121] Rutherford announced to the staff that he was also dismissing the four directors and replacing them with new members, claiming they had not been legally elected. ^[122] The four dismissed directors set up the Pastoral Bible Institute and began publishing their own religious journal. The Pastoral Bible Institute was founded by a small group who were part of the Bible Student movement, a Christian denomination following Millerite Adventist notions guided by Dissension and schisms ensued in congregations worldwide as a result of these events, and of the consequences of new predictions made for the years 1918,^[123] 1920^[124] and 1925. ^[125][126]

The Finished Mystery, published in 1917, was controversial in its criticism of Catholic and Protestant clergy and Christian involvement in war. The Tribulation (or " Great Tribulation " is an event referred to in the New Testament of the Bible at ("For then shall be great tribulation ^[127] Citing this book, the United States federal government indicted Rutherford and the new board of directors for violating the Espionage Act on May 7, 1918. The Espionage Act of 1917 was a United States federal law passed shortly after entering World War I on June 15 1917 which made it a Crime for a person They were found guilty and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment. However, in March 1919, the judgment against them was reversed and they were released from prison. ^[128] The charges were later dropped. ^[129] Patriotic fervor during World War I fueled persecution of the Bible Students both in America and in Europe. ^[130]

An emphasis on house-to-house preaching began in 1922. ^[131] The period from 1925-1933 saw many significant changes in doctrine. Attendance at their yearly Memorial dropped from a high of 90,434 in 1925^[132] down to 17,380 in 1928,^[133] due to the previous power struggle, the failed predictions for the year 1925,^[134] and the evolving doctrinal changes which alienated those who sided with Russell's views. The beliefs and practices of Jehovah's Witnesses are based on the Bible teachings of its founder Charles Taze Russell and his successors Joseph Franklin ^[135] 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 in their chronology. ^[136] The editorial committee was disbanded with Rutherford having the final say regarding what went into Watchtower publications. ^[137] The offices and election of elders and deacons were also discontinued during this era with all "servants" in local congregations being appointed by headquarters. ^[138]

Hitler's Nazi Germany persecuted Jehovah's Witnesses and many were imprisoned in concentration camps. Hi and welcome to Wikipedia! Please understand that this article is frequently vandalized and vandalism is reverted immediately Nazi Germany and the Third Reich are the common English names for Germany under the regime of Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers Internment is the imprisonment or confinement of people commonly in large groups without trial Their identifying badge was a purple triangle. Nazi concentration camp badges, primarily Triangles, were part of the system of Identification in Nazi camps. The purple triangle was a concentration camp badge used by the Nazis to identify several religious minorities ^[139] In a book on Jehovah's Witnesses under the Nazi regime, Hans Hesse commented, "Some five thousand Jehovah's Witnesses were sent to concentration camps where they alone were 'voluntary prisoners', so termed because the moment they recanted their views, they could be freed. Some lost their lives in the camps, but few renounced their faith"^[140] During this time period, Witnesses also experienced mob violence in America and were temporarily banned in Canada and Australia because they were perceived as being against the war effort. ^[141]

Under Rutherford, membership grew from about 21,000 in 1917 to about 115,000 at the time of his death in 1942.

Nathan Knorr, reorganization, and subsequent Presidents

Nathan Homer Knorr succeeded Rutherford as president of the Watch Tower Society. Nathan Homer Knorr ( April 23, 1905 - June 8, 1977) was the third president of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, becoming so 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. Watchtower Bible School of Gilead is the name given to the missionary school of Jehovah's Witnesses. The beliefs and practices of Jehovah's Witnesses are based on the Bible teachings of its founder Charles Taze Russell and his successors Joseph Franklin Significant Supreme Court victories involving the rights of free speech and religion for Jehovah's Witnesses have had a great impact on legal interpretation of these rights for others. The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest judicial body in the United States and leads the federal judiciary. Freedom of speech is the freedom to speak freely without Censorship or Limitation. Freedom of religion is the freedom of an individual or community in public or private to manifest religion or belief in teaching practice worship and observance ^[142] In 1943, the United States Supreme Court ruled in West Virginia State Board of Education vs. Barnette that school children of Jehovah's Witnesses could not be compelled to salute the flag. West Virginia State Board of Education v Barnette, 319 US 624 ( 1943) was a decision by the Supreme Court of the United States that held that In the United States, over 60 Supreme Court cases involving Jehovah's Witnesses have shaped First Amendment law. Internationally there have been numerous Supreme Court cases involving Jehovah's Witnesses. By 1988, the U. Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) S. Supreme Court had reviewed 71 cases involving Jehovah's Witnesses, two thirds of which were decided in their favor.

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. Frederick William Franz ( September 12 1893 – December 22 1992) served as President of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, the Theology is the study of a god or the gods from a religious perspective The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures ( NWT) is a modern-language translation of the Bible published by Jehovah's Witnesses, published in ^[143] 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). Aid to Bible Understanding was the first doctrinal and biblical Encyclopedia of Jehovah's Witnesses. ^[144] The offices of elder and ministerial servant were restored to Witness congregations in 1972, with appointments being made from headquarters. ^[145] Membership rose from 115,000 to over 2 million under Knorr's presidency.

During the 1960s^[146] and early 1970s, various references were made in Witnesses' literature and at assemblies, implying that Christ's thousand-year millennial reign might begin by 1975. ^[147] The chronology pointing to 1975 was noted in the secular media at the time. ^[148] From 1975 to 1980, there was a drop in membership following an uneventfull 1975. ^[149] In 1980, the Watchtower Society admitted its responsibility in building up hope regarding the year 1975. ^[150]

In 1976, the leadership of Jehovah's Witnesses was reorganized, and the power of the presidency passed on to the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses of the Watch Tower Society after Knorr's death in 1977 have been Frederick William Franz, Milton George Henschel and Don A. Adams. The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses is a body of elders who oversee all the activities of the denomination Frederick William Franz ( September 12 1893 – December 22 1992) served as President of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, the Milton George Henschel ( August 9, 1920 - March 22, 2003) was a longtime member of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, who succeeded Don Alden Adams is the current president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, the most important of the Legal instruments of Jehovah's Witnesses However, since 1976, doctrinal and organizational decisions have been made by the Governing Body and they supervise the writing of Watchtower publications. ^[151] Witnesses no longer teach that the timing of Armageddon is tied to the literal generation of people alive in 1914,^[152][153] but are told not to lose confidence in "the nearness of Jehovah's day of judgment". In Christian mythology Armageddon ( Greek Αρμαγεδδων; also spelled Har-Magedon in some modern English translations also known as ^[154]

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Jehovah's Witnesses

Jehovah's Witnesses have an active presence in most countries, though they do not form a large part of the population of any country. As of August 2007 Jehovah's Witnesses have an average membership of approximately 6 Brazil, Mexico, and the United States are the only countries where the number of active Witness publishers exceeds half a million. |utc_offset = -2 to -4 |time_zone_DST = BRST |utc_offset_DST = -2 to -5 |cctld The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the As of February 2008, Jehovah's Witnesses have an average of 6. 8 million members actively involved in preaching. ^[155] Since the mid-1990s, the number of peak publishers has increased from 4. 5 million to 7. 0 million. ^[156] However, there has been a decline in growth rates, from over 8% per annum in the mid 1970s, to 5% per annum in the mid 1990s, to about 2% - 3% per annum since 1999. ^[157] Growth rates and activity reports tend to show significant geographical variation. ^[158] The official published membership statistics only include those who have reported preaching activity. 'Inactive' and disfellowshipped members, and any who have either not been involved in preaching or have not submitted reports, are not included in the reported figures but may be reflected in the attendance at the Witnesses' annual Memorial, with over 17 million attending in 2007. ^[159]

Organizational structure

Main article: Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses

Jehovah's Witnesses are led by a Governing Body located at the Watchtower headquarters. The Organisational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses is a religious Hierarchy. The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses is a body of elders who oversee all the activities of the denomination The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, a Not-for-profit organization headquartered in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, The Watchtower Society was incorporated as Zion’s Watch Tower Tract Society in 1884. Its directors served as the central Governing Body overseeing their preaching work. ^[160] This initial Governing Body was composed of five men and two women. ^[161] As of 1971 the Governing Body consisted of the Board of Directors of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, a body of seven men, and the agenda of the Governing Body was set by the President of the Watch Tower Society, who was also a member. The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, a Not-for-profit organization headquartered in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, The Governing Body was enlarged by Nathan H. Knorr to include other members of the Society in 1971, and its membership rose to eleven men. Nathan Homer Knorr ( April 23, 1905 - June 8, 1977) was the third president of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, becoming so In that year, the chairmanship of the group began to rotate annually. ^[162] The number of men who make up the Governing Body has ranged from 9 to 17 and now stands at 9.

The Governing Body, through the departments of its various legal organizations, directs the operation of the 112 branches throughout the world. ^[163] Members volunteer to operate these facilities. Each branch assigns circuit overseers who travel among various 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 are prominent in congregational matters, particularly in religious instruction and spiritual counseling. Ministerial servants generally assist elders in a limited administrative capacity. Both roles are unpaid, but circuit and district overseers receive a small financial living allowance. All baptized Witnesses consider themselves to be ordained ministers, and are expected to be able to provide religious instruction to others. Males are encouraged to qualify for responsibilities in the congregation and to work towards becoming ministerial servants or elders. Within local congregations the role of women is minimal in terms of responsibility. They cannot serve as elders or ministerial servants, though they carry out a large proportion of the preaching work, including missionary work, pioneering, and helping others in the congregation to become more regular in preaching.

The legal instruments of Jehovah's Witnesses include corporations that represent the religion in legal matters. Most well known is the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, a Not-for-profit organization headquartered in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, In 2000, three new non-profit corporations were organized:

Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, Inc. A non-profit organization ( abbreviated "NPO" also "not-for-profit" is a legally constituted Organization whose objective is to support or engage The Non-profit corporation Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses was established to organize and administer the congregational affairs of Jehovah's Witnesses coordinates all service (i. e. , preaching) activities, including door-to-door preaching, circuit and district conventions, etc.

Religious Order of Jehovah's Witnesses, Inc. coordinates the activities of those involved in full-time service, including pioneers, missionaries, and circuit and district overseers.

Kingdom Support Services, Inc. controls construction of new Kingdom Halls and other facilities and holds the titles to Society-owned vehicles.

Publications

Main article: List of Jehovah's Witnesses Publications

The publishing arm of Jehovah's Witnesses, known as the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania engages in extensive publication work. Jehovah's Witnesses publications are books brochures magazines and tracts published by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania and New York. The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, a Not-for-profit organization headquartered in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, In addition to their two magazines— 'The Watchtower' and 'Awake!', each having tens of millions of monthly copies printed — they also publish many brochures, tracts, books, Bible maps, and encyclopedias including the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.

• The Watchtower has been published continuously since 1879. The Watchtower ( is a monthly illustrated religious Magazine, printed and published by Jehovah's Witnesses via the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society Until 2007, The Watchtower was published twice a month, on the 1st and a 15th of each month. From 2008 onward, a Study Edition typically including five articles for use at the Watchtower Study, is published on the 15th of each month; a separate edition for use in the public ministry is published on the 1st of each month. It is published in 167 languages.

• Awake!, a general interest magazine, has a wider scope than the Watchtower, publishing articles on science, nature, and geography, usually with a religious slant. Awake! ( is a Magazine published by Jehovah's Witnesses, considered to be a companion magazine of The Watchtower. Earlier titles for this magazine were The Golden Age (1919–1937) and Consolation (1937–1946). Until 2005, Awake! was published on the 8th and 22nd of each month; from 2006 onwards, one issue is published eached month. It is available in 81 languages.

• New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures is a translation of the Bible by the New World Bible Translation Committee, last revised in 1984 in English. The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures ( NWT) is a modern-language translation of the Bible published by Jehovah's Witnesses, published in It extensively uses the name Jehovah, an English version of the Hebrew Tetragrammaton, also replacing the Greek word for "Lord" some 237 times in the New Testament. See also Yahweh Tetragrammaton (from the Greek, meaning ' of four letters' (tetra "four" + gramma (gen It is available in 71 Languages. The translators have opted to remain anonymous but others have identified them as being prominent leaders of the movement. ^[164]

• What Does the Bible Really Teach? (2005) The official textbook used to conduct Bible Studies with non-Witnesses. ^[165]

• Keep Yourselves in God's Love (2008) Companion volume to What Does the Bible Really Teach? to be studied with new converts.

Jehovah's Witnesses developed the capability to print Bible literature in multiple languages, and in extremely large volumes, in their own facilities. They currently print all publications at 8 branch offices located around the world. ^[166] Since 1 January 2000 all publications are offered free of charge world-wide. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar.

Controversy

Main article: Controversies regarding Jehovah's Witnesses

Witnesses teach that after the death of the last apostle, the Church gradually diverged, in a Great Apostasy (2 Thessalonians 2:6-12), from the original teachings of Jesus on several major points. Jehovah's Witnesses have experienced controversy in their relationships with mainstream Christianity governments former members and the general public The Great Apostasy is a term used by some religious groups to allege a general fallen state of traditional Christianity, or especially of Catholicism Thus most of the doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses differ from those of mainstream Christianity, and are considered heresy by most mainstream Christian scholars. Heresy is an introduced change to some system of belief especially a religion that conflicts with the previously established canon of that belief Possibly the most controversial doctrinal differences relate to the nature of God and of Jesus, particularly the Jehovah's Witnesses' rejection of the Trinity. SSC RF "Troitsk Institute of Innovative and Termonuclear Research" or TRINITY for shprt Троицкий Институт инновационных и термоядерных In contrast with trinitarian doctrine, they believe that Jesus was not God in a human body, but rather that he was God's firstborn (created) Son created before all other creation. The beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses about hell, the immortality of the soul, the return of Jesus to the earth, and salvation are also controversial. Hell, according to many Religious beliefs, is a location in the Afterlife, which may be described as a place of suffering In Christianity, the Second Coming is the anticipated return of Jesus Christ from Heaven to earth an event that will fulfill aspects of Messianic

Some scholars have criticized the New World Translation, the translation of the Bible published by Jehovah's Witnesses, stating that the group has changed the Bible to suit their doctrine and that the translation contains a number of errors and inaccuracies. The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures ( NWT) is a modern-language translation of the Bible published by Jehovah's Witnesses, published in ^[167] The Society publishes an interlinear edition of the New World Translation, the Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures, which provides the actual Greek text used in translation (Westcott & Hort), a word-for-word literal English translation underneath, and the New World Translation alongside, enabling the reader to consider such charges directly regarding the New Testament.

A number of books have been published that are critical of the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society. ^[168] Critics state that the Watchtower Society has made a number of unfulfilled predictions and doctrinal changes over the years, while claiming that it is the "one and only channel"^[169] used by God to continually dispense truth.

Raymond Franz, a former member of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, has challenged the Witnesses' policies on blood transfusions, stating that their requirements are inconsistent and contradictory. Raymond Franz (born 1922 was a member of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses from 1971 until May 22 1980, and served at the organization's ^[170] However, to Witnesses blood as the fluid per se is not the real issue, it is what it represents. They say that "the important thing is that respect has been shown for the sanctity of blood, regard has been shown for the principle of the sacredness of life" represented by the blood. ^[171][172] When the blood has been drained from an animal, the respect has been shown to God and then a person may eat the meat even though it may contain minute traces of blood.

Critics have also argued that various Witness policies and practices — including the treatment of members who dissociate themselves or who have been disfellowshipped by the congregation — limit the ability of members to exercise personal freedom. ^[173][174] Witnesses teach that "freedom to make decisions [is] to be exercised within the boundaries of God’s laws and principles. "^[175] And that “only Jehovah [is] free to set the standard of what is good and bad. ”^[176] However, the leadership promotes itself as the channel God uses to interpret the scriptures, and it instructs members about "what is good and bad. "^[177]

Some countries such as Uzbekistan, Belarus, and the city of Moscow have opposed the building of facilities (such as Kingdom Halls) and the holding of large conventions in their territory. Uzbekistan, officially the Republic of Uzbekistan ( Uzbek: O‘zbekiston Respublikasi or Ўзбекистон Республикаси is a doubly Belarus ( Belarusian Беларусь / Biełaruś is a Landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered by Russia to the north and east Moscow (Москва́ romanised: Moskvá, IPA: see also other names) is the Capital and the largest city of Kingdom Hall is the term for the meeting place for Jehovah's Witnesses. 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 apparently been about appropriate land use have come out of religious bias, according to Jehovah's Witnesses' claims.

See also

• Bloodless surgery
• Bible Student movement
• Jehovah's Witnesses splinter groups
• Religious rejection of politics
• Restorationism
• Supreme Court cases involving Jehovah's Witnesses
• The Holocaust

References

Further reading

Books

• Jehovah's Witnesses: Portrait of a Contemporary Religious Movement by Andrew Holden. An academic study on the sociological aspects of Jehovah's Witnesses phenomenon. Publisher: Routledge; 1st edition 2002, ISBN 978-0415266109. 224 pages.
• Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom (1993) by Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, a Not-for-profit organization headquartered in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, Official history of the development of the beliefs, practices, and organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses. 750 pages.
• A People for His Name: A History of Jehovah's Witnesses and an Evaluation by Tony Wills, (2006) 2nd edition. (The first edition was published under the pseudonym Timothy White. ) He explores the Witnesses' doctrinal growth and shifts and notes schisms from the main body. 300 pages. ISBN 978-1-4303-0100-4 Selections from Google Books
• What Does the Bible Really Teach? Published by Jehovah's Wittnesses
• Controversies regarding Jehovah's Witnesses#Books Critical of Jehovah's Witnesses

External links

Official sites

• Jehovah's Witnesses: Watchtower Society Official Web Site
• Authorized Site of the Office of Public Information of Jehovah's Witnesses
• Worldwide Association of Jehovah's Witnesses - Site hosts Watchtower and Awake magazines download in MP3 and M4B audio formats. What Does the Bible Really Teach? is a 224-page book published by Jehovah's Witnesses in 2005 and used by them worldwide to help interested people to learn about Jehovah's Witnesses have experienced controversy in their relationships with mainstream Christianity governments former members and the general public

Other sites

• BBC Religion: Jehovah's Witnesses
• Jehovah's Witnesses United — A collection of scholarly information supporting the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society's teachings and the New World Translation.
• 'Knocking' - an independently made documentary about Jehovah's Witnesses. Sample Trailer
• 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.
• Theocratese Glossary - Glossary of terms used by Jehovah's Witnesses
• Interesting Jehovah's Witness Statistics A site providing statistical data.
• Jehovah's Witnesses Worldwide Building Directory

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