The Jehovah's Witnesses are among the most zealous religious bodies in Christianity. Known for going door to door, evangelizing and holding home Bible studies, they do not believe in a separation of clergy and laity, and meet in Kingdom Halls rather than churches.
Shortly after the American Civil War, a young man from Pennsylvania was introduced to the Adventist Movement. Charles Taze Russell parted ways with the Presbyterian Church to form a Bible study group. Among the Adventists with whom he associated were some who were predicting that Christ would return in 1879, as a new date set for the Second Coming after the Great Disappointment.
Russell developed his own Adventist ideas, based on personal and group Bible studies, and his preaching began to attract crowds. In 1879, he began publishing a periodical that was the predecessor of the Watch Tower magazine, in which he reasoned that Christ had indeed returned, but had done so invisibly and that His presence signaled the dawning of the Millennium, which would begin around 1914.
He formed a loosely organized movement around his periodical, as well as a corporation to handle its business affairs. Joseph Franklin Rutherford succeeded Russell as head of the corporation upon his death in 1916. When Rutherford took over, several factions organized separately, but the movement grew through fervent evangelization.
Rutherford changed the name of the organization to Jehovah's Witnesses in 1931. Under Rutherford, the group continued its non-trinitarian theology, which held that Jesus was God's fully human son whose sacrifice balanced Adam's introduction of sin into the world. He strengthened the group's opposition to the structures of society. Witnesses not only refused to serve in the military, but they also came to view national flags as emblems of idolatry.
In Germany, this led to widespread persecution, imprisonment, and the death of as many as 5,000 Witnesses in concentration camps. In the United States, many Witnesses were taken to court in cases that helped to define the boundaries of the country's promises of freedom of religion.
As the Jehovah's Witnesses evolved into a highly organized group that demanded most of the leisure time of its members, other factions developed into national organizations, but none of them enjoyed the kind of growth seen by the Jehovah's Witnesses.
The Jehovah's Witnesses have grown to become one of the largest religious organizations in Europe at a time when mainline churches have been losing membership. Jehovah's Witness communities are active in more than two hundred countries around the globe. Their practice of door-to-door evangelism has led to a great deal of criticism in the United States and some other countries, including organized campaigns warning people away from the Jehovah's Witnesses, labeling them as a cult. Nevertheless, their numbers are growing in the United States.
Witnesses are especially active in their opposition to what they view as the allies of Satan: the false teachings of mainstream Christianity, government tyranny, and corporate oppression. They also reject interdenominational or interfaith movements, considering other denominations or faiths to be part of the world that they are set apart from.
Members of the Jehovah's Witnesses refuse blood transfusions, even in life-or-death situations, although they will accept non-blood alternatives and other medical procedures.
Sexual relations outside of marriage may result in expulsion from the Jehovah's Witnesses if the individual is not believed to be repentant. Homosexual activity is deemed a serious sin, and same-sex marriages are prohibited. Abortion is considered to be the equivalent of murder, and suicide is a sin against God. Gambling and the use of tobacco or illegal drugs are forbidden. Alcoholic beverages are allowed, but drinking to the point of intoxication is discouraged.
In marriage, the husband is considered to have authority over the family, although he is encouraged to consider the opinions of his wife and children. Marriage is monogamous, and marriage to someone who is not a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses may result in sanctions. Divorce is discouraged, and remarriage is forbidden unless the divorce was the result of adultery.
Witnesses believe that death is a state of non-existence. There is no hell. They believe that the soul is a life that can die. Witnesses believe that heaven is reserved for 144,000 people, who will rule with Jesus as kings and priests over the earth. During Christ's millennial reign, believers who died before Armageddon will be resurrected with the possibility of living forever, but on earth not in heaven. After the resurrection, they will be taught the proper way to worship God, in preparation for the final test at the end of the millennium.
Recommended Resources
Affiliated with Witnesses for Jesus, the Christian ministry is made up of people who have left the Jehovah's Witnesses to join other Christian denominations, the site serve largely as a support group for former Witnesses, but also reaches out to those who are still in the Jehovah's Witnesses and other who may have an interest in the subject. Stories from former witnesses are published, and an online store sells books and other products.
http://www.4jehovah.org/
Advocates for Jehovah's Witness Reform on Blood
The AJWRB is comprised of a group of Jehovah's Witnesses, many currently serving as elders and hospital liaison committee members, or in the medical fields, who share an interest in changing the Jehovah's Witnesses policies on the use of blood or blood products. A history of the JW policies is presented, along with excerpts from the Bible, and many articles on the subject, both scientific and theological.
http://www.ajwrb.org/
Created for the purpose of denouncing the Jehovah's Witnesses, Ex-JW publishes critical articles and video about the background and teachings of the Jehovah's Witnesses, as well as the behavior of the JW leadership, the changes and challenges of the Watch Tower Society, the early history of the organization and its founders, and links to other anti-JW sites. A directory of all articles published on the site is included.
http://ex-jw.com/
Founded by a former Jehovah's Witness, Free Minds is a non-profit organization whose focus is encouraging those who are members of a cult to leave, and offering support to those who do. Although its focus is on the Jehovah's Witnesses, other religions organizations deemed to be cults are also discussed in various articles, audio, video, and other resources available here, including testimonies from people who have left.
http://www.freeminds.org/
Holocaust Teacher Resource Center: Jehovah's Witnesses
The Jehovah's Witnesses suffered persecution by the Nazis in areas under German control between the years of 1933 and 1945. Unlike the Jews and Roma, who were also persecuted, Witnesses had the opportunity to escape by renouncing their religious beliefs. Nevertheless, from 2,500 to 5,000 Witnesses died in German concentration camps, where 10,000 had been imprisoned. Their story is documented here, as a teacher resource.
http://www.holocaust-trc.org/jehovahs-witnesses/
The official website of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society features a comprehensive collection of informational articles, documents, video, and Bible study tools relating to the Jehovah's Witnesses. Complete copies of the Watchtower and Awake magazines and other publications of the Society are available for purchase or download, along with a calendar of conventions, meetings, and other events, as well as worldwide contacts.
https://www.jw.org/en/
The independent online community discussion forum is not affiliated with the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society or the Jehovah's Witness leadership, but it is intended for Jehovah's Witnesses and those interested in the denomination. Registration is required for participation but most areas of the forum may be viewed without a membership. Guidelines, policies, and posting rules are posted.
https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/
Research on the Jehovah's Witness organization is compiled and presented here, largely placing the organization in a negative light, including false predictions said to have been made by the Society, videos from former members of the Jehovah's Witnesses on the subject of growing up as a Witness, a look into the doctrine, teachings, and practices of group, and other issues critical of the denomination. Downloadable books are also featured.
http://www.jwfiles.com/
Taking a contrary position to the Jehovah's Witnesses, the site is focused on offering arguments aimed at dissuading people from joining the Jehovah's Witnesses. Topics include claims of errors and changes in JW doctrine and prophecy, dishonesty on the part of the JW leadership, unbiblical doctrines and practices. JW positions and articles published in the Watchtower are reviewed critically.
http://www.jwfacts.com/
JWTalk - Jehovah's Witnesses Discussion Forum
Powered by Invision, the online community discussion forum is intended for active members of the Jehovah's Witnesses to discuss their faith amongst one another and with other interested people. Most of its topics may be viewed by visitors but an account is required to access other areas, or to participate in forum discussions. Several topics are available, and its guidelines are posted to the site.
https://jwtalk.net/
A source for Jehovah's Witness ministry supplies since 1946, the company offers a variety of printed products, service bags, ministry organizers, and literature holders, as well as vinyl book covers. New and featured products are highlighted, and all available products may be viewed online, and purchased through its online shopping area. Items on sale, and items in Spanish, are included.
https://www.madzay.com/
Created and maintained by Robert King, the Watchman's Post is not an official website of the Jehovah's Witnesses. Its content is generally supportive of the doctrine and practices of the JWs, yet critical of its leadership, offering an examination of prophetic teachings of the Watchtower Society and the role that Jehovah's Witnesses play in the overworking of God's universal purpose, reviews of articles published in the Watchtower, podcasts, and an online discussion forum.
https://e-watchman.com/
