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| {{Infobox Christian denomination | |||
| | name=Jehovah's Witnesses | |||
| | image=Watchtower-brooklyn.jpg | |||
| | caption=Watchtower Buildings in Brooklyn, New York | |||
| | main_classification=] | |||
| | orientation = Christian | |||
| | polity = ] | |||
| | founder = ] (founded ]) | |||
| | founded_date = 1876: Bible Students founded<br/>1931: Adopted name | |||
| | founded_place = ] and ], ] | |||
| | parent = ] and ] movements | |||
| | separations = See '']'' | |||
| | area = Worldwide | |||
| | congregations = 103,267 | |||
| | members = 7.1 million | |||
| | footnotes = Statistics from ''2009 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses'' | |||
| | website = http://www.watchtower.org | |||
| }} | |||
| {{clearright}} | |||
| '''Jehovah's Witnesses''' is a ],<ref>{{cite journal| author=Stark et al| year=1997| title=Why Jehovah's Witnesses Grow So Rapidly: A Theoretical Application| journal=Journal of Contemporary Religion| volume=12| issue=2| pages=133-157}}</ref> ]<ref>''Oxford English Dictionary'': "Jehovah's Witness: a member of a fundamentalist ''millenary'' sect" (emphasis added)</ref> ] religious movement.<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/witnesses/ataglance/glance.shtml|title=Jehovah’s Witness at a glance |accessdate=29 December 2008 |work=BBC - Religion & Ethics |publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Religious affiliation and psychiatric diagnosis: The influence of Christian sect membership on diagnosis distribution |journal=European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience|volume=243|issue=1|month=July|year=1993|doi=10.1007/BF02191523|issn=1433-8491|publisher=Steinkopff|url=http://www.springerlink.com/content/p70t402339861562/}}</ref> ] have classified the group as an ] sect.<ref>{{cite book|author=Elliott, Joel|title=Encyclopedia of Religion and Society|publisher= Hartford Institute for Religion Research, Harftord Seminary|url=http://hirr.hartsem.edu/ency/Jehovah%27s.htm}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author=Lawson, Ronald|url=http://www.questia.com/PM.qst;jsessionid=LQDJ9VKHbYhT2RqCynXwpRv1WVGnpy6398Jg9LfGSg7knyNcDGhh!23083005?a=o&d=97803201|title=Sect-State Relations: Accounting for the Differing Trajectories of Seventh-day Adventists and Jehovah's Witnesses| journal=Sociology of Religion|volume=56|year=1995}}</ref> The religion emerged from the ], founded in the late 19th century by ]. It underwent significant changes between 1917 and the 1940s, having its authority structure centralized and its preaching methods brought under greater regimentation.<ref name=orwell3>{{cite book| last = Botting| first = Heather| coauthors = Gary Botting| title = The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses| publisher = University of Toronto Press| year = 1984| pages = 60–75| isbn = 0-8020-6545-7}}</ref><ref>A.H. MacMillan, ''Faith on the March'', 1957, as cited by Raymond Franz, ''In Search of Christian Freedom'', Commentary Press, 2007, page 190: "Rutherford wanted to unify the preaching work and, instead of having each individual give his own opinion ... gradually Rutherford himself began to be the main spokesman for the organization."</ref> The religion today claims an active worldwide membership of approximately 7 million people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jw-media.org/people/statistics.htm|title=Membership and Publishing Statistics|publisher=Office of Public Information of Jehovah's Witnesses}}</ref> | |||
| They are most well-known for their door-to-door preaching, and their refusal of military service and ]s.<ref name=Believe>{{cite book| last = Evans| first = Allan S.| coauthors = Riley E. Moynes, Larry Martinello| title = What man Believes: A study of the World’s Great Faiths| publisher = McGraw-Hill Ryerson| year = 1973| page = 424| isbn = 0-07-077440-4}}</ref> The religion's stance of ] to military service has brought it into conflict with governments that ] citizens for military service.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSL15452518|title=Armenia violates Jehovah's Witnesses' rights-Amnesty|agency=Reuters|date=16 January 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,AMNESTY,,ERI,,483e27893c,0.html|title=UNHCR report|date=28 May 2008}}</ref> The refusal of Jehovah's Witnesses to accept blood transfusions has necessitated advances in the medical practice of ].<ref>{{cite book | last = Penton | first = M.J. | title = Apocalypse Delayed | publisher = University of Toronto Press | year = 1997 | page = 7 | url = http://books.google.com.au/books?id=38SYXalMLeQC | isbn = 0802079733, 9780802079732}}</ref> Activities of Jehovah's Witnesses are banned in some countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/research/rir/?action=record.viewrec&gotorec=449983|title=Syrian Arab Republic: Treatment of Jehovah's Witnesses by the authorities and society in general, and protection offered|publisher=Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada|year=2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1036|title=Tajikistan: Jehovah's Witnesses Banned|publisher=F18News|date=18 October 2007}}</ref> | |||
| Since 1876, adherents have believed that they are living in the ] of the present world.<ref>{{cite book|author=Penton, M. J.|title=Apocalypse Delayed|publisher=University of Toronto Press|edition=2nd|year=1997|page=1}}</ref> In the years leading up to 1925 and 1975, the religion's publications expressed strong expectations that ] would occur in those years, both times resulting in surges in membership and subsequent defections.<ref name=orwell3 /> | |||
| The organization's teachings and practices diverge greatly from traditional ], which has caused several major ] to denounce the group as either a ] or ] ].<ref name=House>{{cite book|title= Charts of Cults, Sects, and Religious Movements|last= House|first= H. Wayne|year= 1992|publisher= Zondervan|isbn= 978-0310385516}}</ref> ] have criticized Jehovah's Witnesses as an authoritarian group for coercing members to reject blood transfusions.<ref name=Vancouver>{{cite web|url=http://www.rickross.com/reference/jw/jw289.html|title=Jehovah's Witnesses case heads to B.C. court|publisher=Vancouver Sun|date=1 April 1 2007}}</ref><ref name="pulsus.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.pulsus.com/journals/abstract.jsp?HCtype=Consumer&sCurrPg=journal&jnlKy=5&atlKy=6964&isuKy=460&spage=1&isArt=t&|title=Medical emergencies in children of orthodox Jehovah's Witness families: Three recent legal cases, ethical issues and proposals for management|author=J Guicho and, I Mitchell|publisher=Paediatrics & Child Health, Canadian Pediatric Society|month=December | year=2006}}</ref> Former adherents have claimed that the religion demands unquestioning obedience from members, with the consequence of expulsion and ] facing any who act in disagreement with its doctrines.<ref name=freedom>{{cite book| last = Franz| first = Raymond| authorlink = Raymond Franz| title = In Search of Christian Freedom| publisher = Commentary Press| year = 2007| location = Atlanta| page = 754| isbn = 0-914675-17-6}}</ref><ref>{{cite book| last = Botting| first = Heather | coauthors = Gary Botting| title = The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses| publisher = University of Toronto Press| year = 1984| isbn = 0-8020-6545-7}}</ref> | |||
| ==History== | |||
| {{See main|History of Jehovah's Witnesses}} | |||
| {{seealso|Development of Jehovah's Witnesses doctrine}} | |||
| ] (1852–1916)]] | |||
| ===1879-1916: Charles Taze Russell and the Bible Students=== | |||
| From the early 1870s, ] studied the Bible with a group of ] ]s, including ] and ], and from 1874, Russell jointly edited a religious journal, ''Herald of the Morning''. In July 1879, Russell began leading a Bible study group and publishing the magazine, '']'',<ref name="contemporary18">{{cite book|author=Holden, A.|year=2002|title=Jehovah's Witnesses: Portrait of a Contemporary Religious Movement|page=18|publisher=Routledge}}</ref><ref>''The Watch Tower'' from 1879–1916 available online and from the seven-volume ''Watch Tower Reprints'', published by the Watch Tower Society in 1920</ref> highlighting his interpretations of biblical chronology, with particular attention to his belief that the world was in "the last days".<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.mostholyfaith.com/bible/Reprints/Z1879JUL.asp#R3:9|journal=Zion's Watch Tower|date=1 July 1879|title=Prospectus}}</ref> In 1881, ''Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society'' was formed in ],<ref>{{cite book|title=Jehovah's Witnesses: Proclaimers of God's Kingdom|publisher=Watchtower|year=1993|page=576}}</ref> to disseminate tracts, papers, doctrinal treatises and Bibles; three years later, on December 15, 1884, Russell became the president of the Society when it was legally incorporated in ].<ref name="contemporary18"/> | |||
| ''Watch Tower'' supporters gathered as autonomous congregations to study the Bible and Russell's writings. Russell firmly rejected as "wholly unnecessary" the concept of a formal organization for his followers, and declared that his group had no record of its members' names, no creeds, and no sectarian name.<ref name=Franz4>{{cite book|author=Franz, Raymond|title=In Search of Christian Freedom|publisher=Commentary Press|year=2007|chapter=Chapter 4}}</ref> The group became known as "Bible Students".<ref name=Franz4 /> Russell died on October 31, 1916, and control of the ''Watch Tower'' magazine was temporarily passed to an Editorial Committee as outlined in Russell's will, with an Executive Committee in control of the Society.<ref>{{cite book|title=Jehovah's Witnesses - Proclaimers of God's Kingdom|chapter=A Time of Testing (1914-1918)|page=64}}</ref> | |||
| ===1916-1942: Joseph Rutherford=== | |||
| ====Organizational changes==== | |||
| In January 1917, ] was elected the next president of the Watch Tower Society. A power struggle developed between Rutherford and the Society's Board of Directors, who objected to his style of leadership.<ref name=Penton>{{cite book|author=Penton, M. J.|title=Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses|publisher=University of Toronto Press|year=1997|isbn=0802079733}}</ref><ref name=crisis3>{{cite book|author=Franz, Raymond|title=Crisis of Conscience|publisher=Commentary Press|year=2002|chapter=Chapter 3}}</ref> On July 17, 1917, Rutherford dismissed four of the directors, claiming they had not been legally elected.<ref>{{cite book|author=Penton, M. J.|title=Apocalypse Delayed|page=52|quote=If the directors were not legally elected, neither were the Society's three officers: Rutherford, Pierson, and Van Amburgh. In order to have been chosen officers in January 1917, they would have had to have been legally elected directors. Yet, they had not been, and hence, by Rutherford's own logic, did not hold office legally.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=A.H. MacMillan|title=Faith on the March|page=80|url=http://www.quotedstatements.com/FOTM.pdf|accessdate=2007-10-25|format=PDF}}</ref> He then announced the release of ''The Finished Mystery'' as the seventh volume of '']''; the book was described as "a posthumous publication ... of Charles Taze Russell", but was actually written by two other Bible Students.<ref>{{google books|dDQSOQV2RBIC|The Finished Mystery}}</ref><ref>{{PDFlink||19.0 MB}}</ref> Controversy erupted over Rutherford's actions, and many Bible Students left to form various ].<ref>{{cite paper|author=Chryssides, George D. |title=Unrecognized charisma? A study of four charismatic leaders|date=April 19, 2001|url=http://www.cesnur.org/2001/london2001/chryssides.htm}}</ref> Eight years later, following a dispute over a proposed article, Rutherford dismissed the ''Watch Tower'''s Editorial Committee, giving him full control of the organization and material published in the magazine.<ref name=crisis3 /> | |||
| ''The Finished Mystery'' strongly criticised Catholic and Protestant clergy and Christian involvement in war.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Finished Mystery|url=http://www.strictlygenteel.co.uk/finishedmystery/fmr16.html|chapter=The Revelation|pages=247-253}}</ref> Citing this book, the United States federal government indicted Rutherford and the new board of directors for violation of the '']'' on May 7, 1918. 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;<ref>{{cite court|litigants=Rutherford et al. vs. the United States|year=1918}} See also {{cite web|url=http://www.pastor-russell.com/misc/jfrdoc.html|title=Application for Executive Clemency|year=1919}}, {{cite web|format=PDF|url=http://www.watchtowerdocuments.com/downloads/1919_May_14__Appeals_Court_reverses_conviction_of_WT_Directo.pdf|title=Reversal by Appeals Court|accessdate=2008-12-30}}</ref> the charges were later dropped.<ref>{{cite book|title=Apocalypse Delayed|author=M.J. Penton|pages=55–56}}</ref><ref>{{google books|38SYXalMLeQC|Apocalypse Delayed}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom|publisher=Watchtower|year=1993|pages=647–654}}</ref><ref>Rutherford gives his defense against the charges in the tract </ref> Patriotic fervor during World War I fueled persecution of the Bible Students in both America and Europe,<ref>{{cite journal|journal=The Golden Age|title=Distress of Nations: Cause, Warning, Remedy|pages=712–718|year=1920|month=September 29|url=http://www.a2z.org/wtarchive/docs/1920_Golden_Age.pdf|format=PDF|accessdate=2008-12-30}}</ref> including mob violence and ].<ref name=Penton/> | |||
| Rutherford continued to tighten and centralize organizational control of the Bible Students, with the Brooklyn headquarters appointing a "director" in each congregation in 1919, and a year later requiring all congregation members who participated in the preaching work to report their preaching activity weekly.<ref name=Franz4 /> On July 26, 1931, the name ''Jehovah's Witnesses'' was adopted by resolution at a convention in ], based on the ]'s rendering of Isaiah 43:10: "Ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah". In 1932, Rutherford eliminated the system of selecting elders by congregational vote. In 1938, he introduced a "theocratic" or "God-ruled" organizational system, under which, all appointments in congregations worldwide are made from the Brooklyn headquarters.<ref name=Franz4 /> | |||
| ====Doctrinal changes==== | |||
| At an international convention held at ], in September 1922, a new emphasis was made on house-to-house preaching.<ref>{{cite book|title=Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom|publisher=Watchtower|year=1993|pages=72–77}}</ref> Significant changes in doctrine were made under Rutherford's leadership, including the 1918 announcement that Jewish patriarchs (such as ] and ]) would be resurrected in 1925, marking the beginning of Christ's thousand-year reign, accompanied by an earthly paradise.<ref name="christian144">{{cite book|author=Franz, Raymond|title=In Search of Christian Freedom|year=2007|page=144}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Gross, Edmond C.|title=Jehovah's Witnesses: Their Claims, Doctrinal Changes, and Prophetic Speculation. What Does the Record Show?|publisher=Xulon Press|year=2001|isbn=193123230X|chapter=Chapter 24}}</ref> The failed expectations for 1925, coupled with other doctrinal changes, resulted in a dramatic reduction in attendance at their yearly ], from 90,434 in 1925<ref>{{cite book|title=Your Will Be Done on Earth|publisher=Watchtower|year=1958|page=337}}</ref> to 17,380 in 1928.<ref>{{cite book|title=Jehovah's Witnesses in the Divine Purpose|publisher=Watchtower|year=1959|page=313}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last = Penton | first = M.J. | title = Apocalypse Delayed | publisher = University of Toronto Press | year = 1997 | page = 61-62 | isbn = 0802079733, 9780802079732}}</ref> By 1933, the timing of the beginning of Christ's presence (Greek: ''parousía''), his enthronement as king, and the start of the "]", were each moved to 1914.<ref name="christian144"/><ref>{{cite book|title=The Harp of God|year=1921|pages=231–236}} states that "the Lord's second presence dates from 1874."</ref><ref>{{google books|Fjw3AAAAMAAJ|The Harp of God}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=Watchtower|page=71|year=1922|month=March 1|publisher=Watchtower}} and {{cite book|pages=65–66|title=Prophecy|year=1930}} supported 1874.</ref><ref>Eschatological changes during this period are documented in {{cite book|title=Historical Idealism and Jehovah's Witnesses|pages=3–37|author=Thomas Daniels|url=http://www.catholic-forum.com/members/popestleo/Historical%20Idealism%20and%20Jehovahs%20Witnesses.pdf|accessdate=2006-02-01|format=PDF}}</ref> | |||
| From 1935, converts to the movement were generally identified as those who, if worthy, would survive ] and live on a paradise earth. Membership before this time was generally composed of those who believed they would be resurrected to live in heaven to rule over the earth with Christ.<ref>{{cite book|title=Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom|publisher=Watchtower|year=1993|pages=84–85}}</ref> | |||
| As their interpretations of Scripture continued to develop, Witnesses were told that saluting the flag or standing for the national anthem are forms of idolatry. They were also told to refuse alternative service provided for ]s. (Objection to alternative civilian service was maintained until 1996, when it was deemed a 'conscience matter'.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=The Watchtower|date=1 May 1996|page=19|title=Paying Back Caesar’s Things to Caesar}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|journal=The Watchtower|date=15 August 1998|page 17|title=Strengthening Our Confidence in God’s Righteousness</ref>) In Germany, Jehovah's Witnesses came under persecution, with as many as 5000 imprisoned in ].<ref>{{cite web|title=United States Holocaust Memorial Museum|url=http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/article.php?lang=en&ModuleId=10005394|accessmonthday=February 22 |accessyear=2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Persecution and Resistance of Jehovah's Witnesses During the Nazi Regime|author=Hesse, Hans|url=http://books.google.com/books?visbn=3861087502&id=mcxD0qxHMO0C&printsec=frontcover|year=2001|page=10}}</ref> Witnesses also experienced mob violence in the US and were banned in Canada and Australia because of their refusal to accept military service.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses|author=American Civil Liberties Union|url=http://www.theocraticlibrary.com/downloads/The_Persecution_of_Jehovah's_Witnesses_-_ACLU.pdf|year=1941|pages=1–24|format=PDF|accessdate=2008-12-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Visions of Glory|author=Harrison, Barbara|authorlink=Barbara Grizzuti Harrison|pages=185, 281|year=1978|url=http://www.exjws.net/vg.htm}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Banning of Jehovah's Witnesses in Australia in 1941|url=http://www.tasa.org.au/conferencepapers05/papers%20(pdf)/religion_persian.pdf|author=Persian, Jayne|month=December | year=2005|format=PDF|accessdate=2008-12-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite court |litigants=Adelaide Company of Jehovah's Witnesses, Inc. v. The Commonwealth of Australia |vol=67 |opinion=116 |format=PDF |pinpoint=124 |url=http://cchasson.free.fr/deposit/trial/Adelaide%20Company%20of%20Jehovah's%20Witnesses%20Inc%20V%20The%20Commonwealth%20of%20Australia..pdf |accessdate=2008-12-30}} (PDF, 68MB)</ref> | |||
| {{see also|Eschatology of Jehovah's Witnesses}} | |||
| {{see also|Persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in Nazi Germany}} | |||
| ===1942-present: Nathan Knorr, Frederick Franz, Milton Henschel, Don Adams=== | |||
| ] was named the third president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society following Rutherford's death in January 1942. Knorr instituted major new training programs – the ''Theocratic Ministry School'' for all congregation members, and the '']'' for missionaries. He also organized large-scale conventions, which attraced as many as 253,000 Witnesses to sports stadiums in the US, Canada and Germany,<ref>{{cite book|author=Penton, M. J.|title=Apocalypse Delayed|publisher=University of Toronto Press|year=1997|page=86}}</ref> and began a campaign of ] acquisition in Brooklyn to expand the organisation's world headquarters. He commissioned a new translation of the Bible, which was released progressively from 1950 before being published as the complete '']'' in 1961. Knorr's vice-president, ], became the religion's leading ],<ref>{{cite book|author=Franz, Raymond|title=Crisis of Conscience|publisher=Commentary Press|year=2007|page=72}}</ref> and helped shape the further development of explicit rules of conduct among members, with a greater emphasis on ] as a disciplinary measure.<ref name=Franz8>{{cite book|author=Franz, Raymond|title=In Search of Christain Freedom|publisher=Commentary Press|year=2007|chapter=Chapter 8}}</ref> | |||
| ]From 1938 to 1955 the Witnesses launched a series of cases in the US Supreme Court to defend their right to worship and proselytize, winning 36 out of 45 cases.<ref>{{cite book|author=Penton, M. J.|title=Apocalypse Delayed|publisher=University of Toronto Press|year=1997|page=89}}</ref> | |||
| From 1966, Witness publications began using their interpretations of biblical chronology to heighten anticipation of Christ's thousand-year millennial reign beginning in late 1975.<ref>{{cite book|title=Life Everlasting in Freedom of the Sons of God|publisher=Watchtower Society|year=1966}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=How Much Longer Will It Be?|journal=Awake!|year=1966|month=October 8|pages=17–20}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=Awake!|publisher=Watchtower Society|page=14|date=October 8, 1968|quote=Does this mean that the above evidence positively points to 1975 as the complete end of this system of things? Since the Bible does not specifically state this, no man can say...If the 1970s should see intervention by Jehovah God to bring an end to a corrupt world drifting toward ultimate disintegration, that should surely not surprise us.}}</ref> Focus on 1975 was intensified with talks given at conventions;<ref>{{cite book|author=Franz, Raymond|title=Crisis of Conscience|chapter=Chapter 9}}</ref> in 1974 a Watchtower Society publication commended Witnesses who had sold homes and property to devote themselves to preaching in the "short time" remaining.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Our Kingdom Ministry|month=May|year=1974}}</ref> The number of baptisms soared, from about 59,000 in 1966 to more than 297,000 in 1974, but membership declined after expectations for the year were proved wrong.<ref>{{cite book|title=Crisis of Conscience|author=Franz, Raymond|chapter=1975—The Appropriate Time for God to Act|pages=237–253|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20031209184316/http://users.volja.net/izobcenec4/coc/9.pdf|accessdate=2006-07-27|format=PDF}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author=Singelenberg, Richard|url=http://www.watchtowerinformationservice.org/index.php/dates/the-1975-prophecy-and-its-impact-among-dutch-jehovahs-witnesses/|title=The '1975'-prophecy and its impact among Dutch Jehovah's Witnesses|journal=Sociological Analysis|vol=50|issue=1|year=1989|pages=23–40}} Notes a nine percent drop in total publishers (door-to-door preachers) and a 38 per cent drop in pioneers (full-time preachers) in the Netherlands.</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=The Journal of Contemporary Religion|article=Why the Jehovah's Witnesses Grow So Rapidly: A Theoretical Application|url=http://www.geocities.com/rogueactivex/JWGrow-O.pdf|year=1997|pages=142–143|format=PDF|accessdate=2008-12-30|author=Stark and Iannoccone}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=January 30, 1982|work=Los Angeles Times|title=Defectors Feel 'Witness' Wrath: Critics say Baptism Rise Gives False Picture of Growth|author=Dart, John|page=B4}} Cited statistics showing a net increase of publishers worldwide from 1971–1981 of 737,241, while baptisms totaled 1.71 million for the same period.</ref> In 1980, the Watchtower Society admitted its responsibility in building up hope regarding 1975.<ref>{{cite journal|title=The Watchtower|date=March 15, 1980|page=17|quote=With the appearance of the book ''Life Everlasting—in Freedom of the Sons of God'', ... considerable expectation was aroused regarding the year 1975. ... there were other statements published that implied that such realization of hopes by that year was more of a probability than a mere possibility. It is to be regretted that these latter statements apparently overshadowed the cautionary ones and contributed to a buildup of the expectation already initiated. ... ''persons having to do with the publication of the information'' ... contributed to the buildup of hopes centered on that date.}}</ref> | |||
| The offices of elder and ministerial servant were restored to Witness congregations in 1972, with appointments being made from headquarters.<ref>{{cite book|title=Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom|publisher=Watchtower|page=106|year=1993}}</ref> In a major organizational overhaul in 1976, the power of the Watchtower Society president was diminished, with authority for doctrinal and organizational decisions passed to the religion's ]. Presidents since Knorr's death in 1977 have been ] (1977-1992), ] (1992-2000) and ] (2000-).<ref>{{cite book|title=1977 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses|page=258}}</ref> | |||
| {{see also|Supreme Court cases involving Jehovah's Witnesses}} | |||
| ==Organization== | |||
| {{See main|Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses}} | |||
| Jehovah's Witnesses are organized under a hierarchical arrangement, which their leadership calls a "theocratic government", reflecting their belief that it is God's organization on earth.<ref name=pentongov>{{cite book| last = Penton| first = M. James| title = Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses| publisher = University of Toronto Press| year = 1997| pages = 211–252| isbn = 0-8020-7973-3}}</ref> | |||
| The organization is headed by the ], based in the Watchtower Society's ] headquarters – an all-male group that varies in size, but since 2005 has comprised nine members, all of whom profess to be of the "anointed" class with a hope of heavenly life.<ref>{{cite book|title=2007 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses|author=Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania|pages=4, 6}}</ref><ref>{{cite book| last = Botting| first = Heather & Gary| title = The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses| publisher = University of Toronto Press| year = 1984 | isbn = 0-8020-6545-7}}</ref> There is no election for membership, with new members selected by the existing body.<ref>{{cite book| last = Franz| first = Raymond| title = In Search of Christian Freedom| publisher = Commentary Press| year = 2007| location = | page = 123| isbn = 0-914675-17-6}}</ref> The Governing Body is described as the "spokesman" for God's "faithful and discreet slave class" (the approximately 8000 remaining "anointed" Jehovah's Witnesses),<ref>{{cite book| last = Franz| first = Raymond| title = In Search of Christian Freedom| publisher = Commentary Press| year = 2007| page = 153| isbn = 0-914675-17-6}}</ref> and is said to provide "spiritual food" for Witnesses worldwide on behalf of the "faithful and discreet slave class". In practice it seeks neither advice nor approval from any "anointed" Witnesses other than high-ranking members at Brooklyn Bethel when formulating policy and doctrines or when producing material for publications and conventions.<ref>{{cite book| last = Franz| first = Raymond| title = In Search of Christian Freedom| publisher = Commentary Press| year = 2007| pages = 154–164| isbn = 0-914675-17-6}}</ref> | |||
| The Governing Body directs several committees that are responsible for various administrative functions, including publication, assembly programmes and evangelizing activity.<ref name=pentongov /> The committees oversee operations of Watchtower Society branch offices around the world, from which, District and Circuit Overseers are appointed to supervise congregations within their jurisdiction. | |||
| Witnesses have no formal clergy-laity division.<!--This may require clarification. In legal cases, JW elders ''can'' apparently claim privileges of confidentially generally ascribed to 'clergy'--> Congregations are served by a body of appointed male elders and ministerial servants. Elders maintain general responsibility for congregational governance, setting meeting times, selecting speakers and conducting meetings, directing the public preaching work, and creating "judicial committees" to investigate and decide disciplinary action for cases that are seen as breaching scriptural or organizational laws. Elders are appointed by the Society after recommendation from the local body of elders. Ministerial servants – appointed in a similar fashion to elders – fulfil clerical and attendant duties, but may also teach and conduct meetings.<ref name=pentongov /> | |||
| ==Beliefs== | |||
| {{main|Beliefs and practices of Jehovah's Witnesses}} | |||
| Doctrinal positions on the Bible are gained by what Witness publications describe as "progressive revelation". The term is undefined in Watchtower literature, but commonly taken to mean the application of reason and study as well as the undefined guidance of the ]. The ''Watchtower'' has also suggested the organization has received direct, latter-day revelations. Rutherford spoke of spiritual "lightning flashes in the temple", and the Society claims its doctrine of the "great crowd" and "other sheep" were "revealed" to Rutherford in 1935. Witness literature has also described sudden changes in doctrines as "flashes of light" given by God through his holy spirit.<ref name="apocalypse165">{{cite book|author=Penton, M. J. Penton|title=Apocalypse Delayed|publisher=University of Toronto Press|page=165}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=“The Things Revealed Belong to Us”|journal=The Watchtower|date=May 15, 1986|pages=10-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=Flashes of Light - Great and Small|journal=The Watchtower|date=May 15, 1995|pages=17,18}}</ref> A 1930 publication claimed God used "invisible deputies" and "invisible angels" to pass his "messages" to the ''Watchtower''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.towerwatch.com/Witnesses/society/AboutTheSociety/1930_Light1_64.tif|title=''Light 1'', page 64|year=1930}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.towerwatch.com/Witnesses/society/AboutTheSociety/1930_Light1_106.tif|title=''Light 1'', page 106}}</ref> | |||
| Unless explicitly stated, statements in this section reflect the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses. | |||
| ===Jehovah=== | |||
| ] letters "yod-hey-vav-hey" (YHWH), the ] combined with the vowel sounds of adonai.]] | |||
| Emphasis is given to the use of ]'s ] ], the ], and in English they prefer to use the name, ].<ref>{{cite book|author=Holden, A.|year=2002|title=Cavorting With the Devil: Jehovah’s Witnesses Who Abandon Their Faith|page=Endnote |publisher=Department of Sociology, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YL, UK|url=http://www.lancs.ac.uk/fass/sociology/papers/holden-cavorting-with-the-devil.pdf|format=PDF}}</ref> Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jehovah is the only true God, the Creator of all things, and give him the title "Universal Sovereign". They believe that all worship should be directed toward him.<ref name="proclaimers144">{{cite book|title=Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom|year=1993|pages=144-145}}</ref> Jehovah's Witnesses see mankind as participants in a challenge involving the competing claims of Jehovah and Satan to universal sovereignty.<ref>{{cite journal|title=The Bible Answers Vital Questions of Our Day|date=November 15, 1999|journal=The Watchtower}}</ref> | |||
| ===Jesus Christ=== | |||
| Jehovah's Witnesses believe that ] was created by Jehovah,<ref>{{cite book|title=Insight on the Scriptures|volume=2|year=1988|page=1019}}</ref> and that Jehovah then created everything else by means of Jesus.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Jesus Christ—God’s Beloved Son|journal=The Watchtower|date=June 1 1988|page=13}}</ref> While on Earth as a human, Jesus performed miracles, but he does not perform them now.<ref>{{cite book|author=Holden, A|year=2002|title=Jehovah's Witnesses: portrait of a contemporary movement|page=180|publisher=Routledge}}</ref> Jesus served as a ransom sacrifice to pay for the sins of mankind.<ref>{{cite book|title=Insight on the Scriptures|volume=2|publisher=Watchtower|pages=60–61|chapter="His Vital Place in God's Purpose" and "Chief Agent of life"}}</ref> They believe that Jesus died on a single upright ] rather than the traditional ].<ref>{{cite book|title=Reasoning From the Scriptures|year=1989|pages=89–90}}</ref> They believe that references in the Bible to the ], ] and ], and ] also refer to Jesus.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Angels: How They Affect Us|date=15 January 2006|journal=The Watchtower|publisher=Jehovah's Witnesses}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Insight on the Scriptures|volume=2|year=1988|pages=393–394}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Insight on the Scriptures|volume=1|year=1988|pages=12, 126}}</ref> | |||
| ===Satan=== | |||
| Jehovah's Witnesses believe that ] is the invisible ruler of the world.<ref name="proclaimers144"/><ref>{{cite book|title=What Does the Bible Really Teach?|year=2005|page=32|publisher=Jehovah's Witnesses}}</ref> He was at one time a perfect son of God but developed feelings of self-importance and craved worship that belonged to God. Satan persuaded Adam and Eve to obey him rather than God, raising the issue of who can rightfully claim to be sovereign of the universe.<ref name="proclaimers144"/> Satan misleads people on Earth, and he and the demons are the reason for pain and suffering. In October 1914, Satan and his demons were cast down to earth from heaven and the ]s began.<ref name="proclaimers144"/><ref>{{cite book|title=What Does the Bible Really Teach?|year=2005|pages=87,216|publisher=Jehovah's Witnesses}}</ref> | |||
| ===Salvation=== | |||
| Publications of Jehovah's Witnesses have stated that only Jehovah and Jesus determine who will survive Armageddon, but that only those serving Jehovah have any hope of survival.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Remaining Organized for Survival Into the Millennium|journal=Watchtower|month=September 1|year=1989|page=19|quote=Only Jehovah's Witnesses, those of the anointed remnant and the "great crowd", as a united organization under the protection of the Supreme Organizer, have Scriptural hope of surviving the impending end of this doomed system now dominated by Satan the Devil. When will that day of judgment come? The bible states in several scriptures that only God himself knows when he will execute his judgment.}}</ref> Jesus' death was necessary to atone for the sin brought into the world by ] and created the possibility of everlasting life for humans. 144,000 anointed Christians will receive immortal life in heaven as co-rulers with Christ over the rest of humanity during the ]. God's kingdom was established in heaven with Jesus Christ as king in 1914.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Will Cruelty Ever End?|journal=The Watchtower|date=1 April 2007|page=5}}</ref> During the war of ] the wicked will be destroyed.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=The Watchtower|date=1 September 1945}}</ref> The survivors and those who will be ] will form a new earthly society ruled by a heavenly government.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=The Watchtower|title=Question From Readers|date=1 October 1983|page=31}}</ref> | |||
| {{Christianity|state=collapsed}} | |||
| The majority of Jehovah's Witnesses expect to live in a renewed ] on Earth.<ref>{{cite book|title=What Does the Bible Really Teach? |year=2005 |pages=33–36 |publisher=Jehovah's Witnesses}}</ref> They believe that after Armageddon most humans who have died, apart from those who are executed by God at Armageddon, will be resurrected and allowed to prove their worthiness of being judged righteous and living forever. Those who are resurrected will be granted a period of one thousand years to demonstrate their obedience to God.<ref>{{cite journal|title="Death Is to Be Brought to Nothing"|journal=Watchtower|month=July|year=1998|pages=19–24}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=What Does the Bible Really Teach?|page=214|publisher=Jehovah's Witnesses}}</ref> | |||
| ===Mortality=== | |||
| Jehovah's Witnesses believe that death is a state of non-existence with no consciousness. They do not believe in any ] of fiery torment. ] and ] are understood to refer to the condition of death, termed ''common grave''.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Is There LIFE After Death? |journal=The Watchtower]] |month=July 15 |year=2005 |url=http://www.watchtower.org/e/20020715/article_02.htm|accessdate=2008-09-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Hell—Eternal Torture or Common Grave? |journal=The Watchtower |month=April 15 |year=1993 |page=6}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Insight on the Scriptures|volume=2|year=1988 |page=189}}</ref> They consider the ] and body to be the living being that expires.<ref>{{cite book |title=Insight on the Scriptures|volume=2|year=1988 |page=1004|quote=The...Scriptures show 'soul' to be a person, an animal, or the life that a person or an animal enjoys.}}</ref> Their hope for life after death involves being resurrected by God, either with a new body on earth after Armageddon, or to heaven for the limited number of 144,000. | |||
| ===Authority of the Bible=== | |||
| Jehovah's Witnesses teach that the entire Bible (following the ], hence excluding the ] books) is the inspired word of God and accurate in regard to history and prophecy, although they assert that the Bible also uses ], ], ], and ].<ref>{{cite book|title=The Bible—God's Word or Man's?|publisher=Watchtower}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=A Book for All People|year=2005|publisher=Jehovah's Witnesses}}</ref> Jehovah's Witnesses reject the term "fundamentalist" as a description of the religion's beliefs.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=The Watchtower|date=15 October 1974|page=629|title=How Are Jehovah's Witnesses Different?|publisher=Watchtower}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|journal=The Watchtower|date=15 October 1977|page=618|title=Obedience to the Good News a Way of Life|publisher=Watchtower}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|journal=The Watchtower|date=1 September 1994|page=6|title=Science, Religion, and the Search for Truth|publisher=Watchtower}}</ref> The leadership of Jehovah's Witnesses claims to be the sole visible channel of Jehovah and asserts that the Bible cannot be understood without its assistance.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=The Watchtower|date=1 October 1967|pages=587,590|publisher=Watchtower}}</ref> | |||
| ===Cross=== | |||
| Jehovah's Witnesses reject the idea that Jesus died on a cross, and instead teach that he died on a ], asserting that the Koiné Greek word ''staurós'' refers to a single upright post. They view the cross to be of pagan origins and an object of idol worship.<ref>{{cite book|title=What Does the Bible Really Teach?|year=2005|pages=51,201-204|publisher=Jehovah's Witnesses}}</ref> Some Jehovah's Witnesses have been persecuted or killed for not bowing down to or kissing a cross.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=The Watchtower|title=European High Court Upholds Right to Preach in Greece|pages=28-29|date=1 Septebmer 1993|publisher=Watchtower}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=1994 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses|chapter=Poland|page=206|publisher=Watchtower}}</ref> | |||
| ==Practices== | |||
| {{main|Beliefs and practices of Jehovah's Witnesses}} | |||
| ===Proselytization=== | |||
| Jehovah's Witnesses are perhaps best known for their efforts to spread their beliefs throughout the world. They do this mainly by visiting people from house to house.<ref>{{cite book|title=Jehovah's Witnesses: Proclaimers of God's Kingdom|page=570|year=1993| chapter=House-to-House Preaching —An Identifying Mark}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|journal=The Watchtower|date=May 15, 1981|page=17|title=Showing Lifesaving Neighbor Love}}</ref> Free home Bible studies are offered to people who show interest in their beliefs, which they present with the aid of their publications, such as ''The Watchtower''. Literature is published in many languages through a wide variety of ]s, ]s and other publications, with a small selection available in at least 448 languages. 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.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=The Watchtower|date=January 15, 1987|page=6|title=Social Ministry—How It Affects People}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|journal=The Watchtower|date=July 15, 1971|page=426|title=How the True Church Helps}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=Is There More than One Way of Being a Christian|journal=The Watchtower|date=November 1, 1966|page=647}}</ref> Witnesses are instructed to devote as much time as possible to preaching activities, and are required to provide a monthly report to their congregation on their 'witnessing' activity.<ref>{{cite book| last = Botting| first = Heather| coauthors = Gary Botting| title = The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses| publisher = University of Toronto Press| year = 1984| page = 52| isbn = 0-8029-2537-4}}</ref> | |||
| ===Ethics and morality=== | |||
| ]s, like this one in Germany.]] | |||
| Their view of morality reflects conservative Christian values. All sexual relations outside of marriage are grounds for expulsion ('']'') if the accused is not deemed repentant.<ref>{{cite book|author=Chryssides, G.D.|year=1999|title=Exploring New Religions|page=103|publisher=Continuum International Publishing Group}}</ref> Abortion is considered ].<ref>{{cite book|chapter=Why Living a Godly Life Brings Happiness|title=Knowledge that Leads to Everlasting Life|year=1995|page=118|publisher=Watchtower}}</ref> | |||
| Modesty in dress and grooming is frequently emphasized. ],<ref>{{cite book|title=Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life|publisher=Watchtower|year=1995|page=120}}</ref> drunkenness, illegal drugs, and tobacco use are forbidden.<ref>{{cite book| last = Penton| first = M. James| title = Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses| publisher = University of Toronto Press| year = 1997| page = 280| isbn = 0-8020-7973-3}}</ref> Drinking of ]s is permitted in moderation.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=''The Watchtower''|page=18|date=1 December 2004|title=Maintain a Balanced View of the Use of Alcohol}}</ref> | |||
| The family structure is ]. 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 ].<ref>{{cite journal|title=''The Bible's Viewpoint'' What Does It Mean to Be the Head of the House?|journal=Awake!|date=July 8 2004|page=26}}</ref> Divorce is permissible only for adultery or cases in which a Witness's partner forces on them "repugnant and perverted" sexual practices.<ref>{{cite book| last = Penton| first = M. James|title = Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses| publisher = University of Toronto Press| year = 1997| page = 112| isbn = 0-8020-7973-3}}</ref> If a divorce is obtained for any other reason (and the previous spouse is still alive), remarriage is considered adultery.<ref>{{cite book|title=Insight on the Scriptures|chapter=Adultery|vol=1|page=53}}</ref> Abuse and willful non-support of one's family are considered grounds for separation.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=The Watchtower|date=1 November 1988|page=22|title=When Marital Peace Is Threatened}}</ref> | |||
| ===Disfellowshipping=== | |||
| {{main|Jehovah's Witnesses and congregational discipline}} | |||
| Jehovah's Witnesses employ a form of ], which they have uniquely termed "disfellowshipping", where a member is considered unrepentant of committing a "serious sin". Members are not allowed to speak to individuals who are disfellowshipped, with the exception of parents of disfellowshipped minors still living in the family home. The intended purpose of disfellowshipping is to keep the congregation free from immoral influence and to shame wrong-doers into repentance.<ref>{{cite book|title=Keep Yourselves in God's Love|chapter=Appendix: How to Treat a Disfellowshipped person|pages=198-202|year=2008|publisher=Jehovah's Witnesses}}</ref> | |||
| ===Avoidance of interfaith activity=== | |||
| Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the Bible condemns the mixing of religions on the basis that there can only be one truth from God.<ref>Watchtower 2/1/52 p. 69 Is Interfaith God's Way?"JEHOVAH is a God of truth. He does not compromise with error"</ref><ref>Awake! 11/22/89 p. 22 "this willingness to compromise has become more pronounced because of a growing acceptance of the idea that all "Christian" religions have an inherent God-given unity."</ref> They believe that only their religion represents true Christianity, and that all other religions fail to meet all the requirements set by God and will be destroyed.<ref>''What Does The Bible Really Teach?'' chap. 15 p. 145 par. 3 Worship That God Approves | "3 ... Many people believe that all religions are pleasing to God, but the Bible does not teach that. It is ''not even enough just to claim to be a Christian''. Jesus said: "Not everyone saying to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will." "</ref> They are opposed to 'councils' that unite or combine different religions.<ref>Watchtower 12/15/53 pp. 741–742 Should the Religions Unite? "While these councils may provide a strong political lobby, or aid in mission work, they have no unity of doctrine, no message for the world, no direction to the kingdom of God as earth's only hope, no counsel for the Christian conscience in the present crisis. They are merely "United Nations" of religions, 'agencies of cooperation' between widely divided denominations, but are not organizations that could bring their members to a unity of correct belief."</ref> | |||
| ===Celebrations=== | |||
| ]s, ], and ]s are observed, however holidays such as ], ], ], ], and ] are not celebrated, as Jehovah's Witnesses believe these customs come from ancient pagan religions.<ref></ref> Observances such as ], ], or any ] are not observed by Jehovah's Witnesses because they believe it could compromise their ]. <ref>''Awake!'' November 22, 1976 issue "A National 'Day of Thanks'-The Dream and the Reality</ref><ref>''School'' 1983 brochure 'Holidays and Celebrations'</ref> ] parties and celebrations are also avoided as days that lead to feelings of "self-importance". <ref>''School'' 1983 brochure 'Holidays and Celebrations'</ref> | |||
| ===Relationship with governments=== | |||
| {{main|Jehovah's Witnesses and governments}} | |||
| Jehovah's Witnesses believe their allegiance belongs to ], which is viewed as an actual, heavenly government. They refrain from saluting the flag of any country or singing nationalistic songs,<ref>{{cite journal|title="Salvation Belongs to Jehovah"|journal=Watchtower|month=September 15|year=2002|page=21}}</ref> as they believe that these acts are contrary to biblical principles. 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. However, they believe that they owe secular authorities their obedience. Members are expected to obey all laws of their native governments, so long as these do not violate their interpretations of scripture.<ref>"Watchtower" 11/15/00 p. 15 par. 18 Christians Find Happiness in Serving "There are many people who claim to worship God, but their worship is really directed to the gods of nationalism, tribalism, wealth, self, or some other deity"</ref><ref>"Watchtower" 2/15/67 p. 115 par. 15 "(Dan. 2:44) "Thus the nationalistic governments on which the various religious systems depend so heavily for support are destined to be crushed by God's heavenly kingdom."</ref> They are instructed to pay all taxes levied by the country in which they reside, considering the government to be solely responsible for how they are used.<ref>Watchtower 11/1/90 p. 24 par. 5 " … what if part of the tax money is used to finance something we disagree with, such as free abortions, blood banks, or programs that conflict with our neutral views? We still pay all our taxes. It is the authority that must take responsibility for how it uses the tax money."</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=God and Caesar|journal=Watchtower|month=May 1|year=1996|page=9}}</ref> | |||
| ===Blood=== | |||
| {{main|Jehovah's Witnesses and blood}} | |||
| ] blood]] | |||
| Jehovah's Witnesses are opposed to ]s, based on their understanding of how the Bible says blood should be treated.<ref>Penton, M.J. (1997) ''Apocalypse Delayed'' (p. i)</ref> In 1961, accepting a blood transfusion became grounds for expulsion from the religion.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=BMJ|title=Bioethical aspects of the recent changes in the policy of refusal of blood by Jehovah's Witnesses|url=http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1119307|date=January 6, 2001|pages=37–39|pmid=11141155|doi=10.1136/bmj.322.7277.37|author=Muramoto, O.|volume=322}}</ref> They do not accept the threat of death as sufficient to dissuade them from rejecting blood transfusions for themselves or their children.<ref>Bowman, R.M, Beisner, E.C., Ehrenborg, Rev. T. (1995) ''Jehovah's Witnesses'', (p. 13). Zondervan.</ref> Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the Bible prohibits blood transfusions based on their interpretation of . | |||
| While Jehovah's Witnesses are not permitted to accept ], ], ]s or ], they may accept fractions made from these components at their own discretion.<ref>], June 15, 2000 p. 30. {{cite journal|author=Sniesinski et al|journal=Anesthesia & Analgesia|title=Coagulopathy After Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Jehovah's Witness Patients: Management of Two Cases Using Fractionated Components and Factor VIIa|url=http://www.freeminds.org/doctrine/sniecinski_analgesia2.pdf|month=April | year=2007 | volume = 104 | page = 763 | doi = 10.1213/01.ane.0000250913.45299.f3 <!--Retrieved from CrossRef by DOI bot-->|format=PDF|accessdate=2008-12-30}}</ref> The Watchtower Society provides members with ] documents to indicate which optional fractions they accept, with preformatted wording prohibiting major components.<ref>Durable Power of Attorney form, published by ], January 2001 p. 1, "I accept all fractions derived from any primary component of blood." Examples of permitted fractions are: ], and ]; preparations made from ] such as and ]. Examples of permitted procedures involving the medical use of one's own blood include: , , ], ], , ], and (]). See , pp. 5–6</ref> 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.<ref>'' Awake!'' August 2006 box on P. 11</ref> | |||
| ===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 rebuilding ]s, and helping fellow members, but assistance is also provided to non-members in need near the area in which they are working.<ref>Awake! 6/8/89 p. 30 From Our Readers "By no means do Jehovah's Witnesses ignore the plight of others when disasters occur. Previous articles have demonstrated how willing Jehovah's Witnesses are to assist their neighbors during such times. See, for example, the article entitled "The Levee Has Broken!" (October 8, 1986) We thus endeavor to "work what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to us in the faith." (Galatians 6:10)</ref><ref>Awake! 6/06 p. 19 Heeding the Warnings Made a Difference "This group cares for the Louisiana area, which took the brunt of Hurricane Katrina. Of the 2,700 homes of Witnesses needing repair there, work on 1,119 had been completed by the middle of February, so a huge task was still facing that relief committee. Again, neighbors and families with dire need were also helped."</ref> Examples of relief work include that provided to ] and ] victims during the ], to ] refugees,<ref>{{cite journal|quote=Since 1994, Jehovah's Witnesses in ] alone have sent more than 190 tons of food, clothing, medicine, and other relief supplies to the Great Lakes region of Africa to fellow Jehovah's Witnesses|title=Christianity in Action: Amid Turmoil|journal=Watchtower|publisher=Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania|month=January 15|url=http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/1998/1/15/|accessdate=2005-12-04|doi=10.1213/01.ane.0000250913.45299.f3|year=2007|author=Sniecinski, Roman M.|volume=104|page=763}}</ref> and after ] in the United States of America.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Awake!|month=June|year=2006|pages=14–19}}</ref> | |||
| ===The Memorial=== | |||
| Their most important annual event is the commemoration of Jesus' death on behalf of mankind, referred to as the ] or the Lord's Evening Meal. It is held after sundown on the day corresponding to the date of the Hebrew Passover (] 14 on the ]). This is usually<!--Is it *ever* not in March or April?--> in March or April on the first full moon after the spring equinox.<ref>"What Does the Bible Really Teach?", Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania (2005), p. 206.</ref> The event is open to anyone, and invitations are given out in communities about a month before. Over 17 million people attended the Memorial worldwide in 2007<!--update statistic-->. | |||
| During the event, unleavened bread and wine, emblems symbolizing Jesus' perfect body and shed blood, are passed to each person in attendance. Only those members who profess to be of the anointed ] partake of the emblems. They believe that those who partake unworthily of the emblems will be judged by Jehovah. | |||
| == Demographics == | |||
| ] | |||
| {{main|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 February 2008, Jehovah's Witnesses have an average of 7.2 million members actively involved in preaching. In 2007, these reports indicated a total of over 1.3 billion hours. Since the mid-1990s, the number of peak publishers has increased from 4.5 million to 7.2 million,<ref>''Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses'', 1996–2008</ref> though 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.<ref>{{cite web | author=Grundy, Paul | url=http://jwfacts.com/index_files/statistics.htm | title=Facts about truth and Jehovah's Witnesses}}</ref> The official published membership statistics only include those who have reported preaching activity, and do not include 'inactive' and disfellowshipped members, and any who have either not been involved in preaching or have not submitted reports. In the United States, about one-third of children among Jehovah’s Witnesses still identify themselves with the religion as adults.<ref>{{cite journal | title=U.S. Religious Landscape Survey Religious Affiliation: Diverse and Dynamic | publisher=Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life | month=February | year=2008 | pages=9, 30}}</ref> | |||
| ==Main publications used== | |||
| {{main|List of Jehovah's Witnesses Publications}} | |||
| <!--{{Primarysources|section|date=September 2008}} material in this section is not likely to be disputed, making primary sources reasonable--> | |||
| The publishing arm of Jehovah's Witnesses, known as the ], engages in extensive publication work, with the production of books, brochures, and other media. The most widely spread are: | |||
| * '']'', (1961, revised 1984) a translation of the Bible by the New World Bible Translation Committee. It extensively uses the name ''Jehovah'', an English version of the Hebrew ], also replacing the Greek word for "Lord" 237 times in the New Testament. It is available in 72 languages. | |||
| * '']'', a 32-page magazine, published since 1879, for use in the public ministry; published twice per month, on the 1st and a 15th of each month. From 2008 onward, the issue published on the 15th of each month is a Study Edition for use at the Watchtower Study and not used in the public ministry. It is available in 171 languages. | |||
| * '']'', a 32-page general interest magazine, with a wider scope than the ''Watchtower'', usually including articles on science, nature, and geography, usually with a religious slant. 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 each month. It is available in 81 languages. | |||
| * '']'', (2005) the textbook used to conduct Bible studies.<ref>"Our Kingdom Ministry 1/06 p. 1 "The Bible Teach Book—Our Primary Bible Study Aid" … "publishers are encouraged to begin using it immediately to start and conduct Bible studies."</ref> It is available in 176 languages. | |||
| ==Criticism and controversies== | |||
| {{main|Controversies regarding Jehovah's Witnesses}} | |||
| Jehovah's Witnesses have attracted controversy over issues surrounding their Bible translation, doctrines, handling of sexual abuse cases, and alleged coercion of members. | |||
| ==References== | |||
| {{reflist|2}} | |||
| ==Further reading== | |||
| <!-- Please discuss any books you wish to add to this list on this article's talk page before adding them. To avoid spam, link creep, and keep the resources in this section of high quality, we want to discuss any external resource inclusion before it is added. Thank you! --> | |||
| *''Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses'' by ]. Penton, professor emeritus of history at University of Lethbridge and a former member of the religion, examines the history of Jehovah's Witnesses, and their doctrines. Read selections from: University of Toronto Press. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3 (Canada, 1998) (Google book search) | |||
| * ''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 ]. 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 | |||
| ==External links== | |||
| {{Commons|Category:Jehovah's Witnesses|Jehovah's Witnesses}} | |||
| <!-- Please discuss any links you wish to add to this list on this article's talk page before adding them. To avoid spam, link creep, and keep the resources in this section of high quality, we want to discuss any external resource inclusion before it is added. Thank you! --> | |||
| ===Official sites=== | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| ===Other sites=== | |||
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| * | |||
| * – Scans of complete books and booklets from Russell's era to Knorr's. | |||
| * – An independently made documentary about Jehovah's Witnesses. | |||
| *- (Videos, Audios and News of Worldwide Association of Jehovah’s Witnesses) | |||
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| {{Link FA|fi}} | |||
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