...Jehovah's Witnesses Report Jonquil McDaniel HUM/130 11/16/11 Paxton Reed Introduction The Jehovah's Witnesses is a religion that started out with humble beginnings in the 19th century as The Bible Students, the followers of a man named Charles Taze Russell. Charles Taze Russell was the original publisher of the Jehovah's Witnesses' magazine The Watchtower (then called Zion's Watchtower) and their book Studies in the Scriptures (then called Millennial Dawn) (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 1993). C.T. Russell was born in the United States in Pennsylvania on February 16, 1852. C.T. Russell grew up in a deeply religious household and was brought up on the Christian concepts that God is love yet had created men inherently immortal and provided a fiery place in which he would eternally torment all except those that had been predestined to be saved. Such an idea repulsed the teenaged C.T. Russell, and he reasoned that such a God would have standards lower than that of many men (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 1993). One day while walking along near his parent's store he heard religious singing coming from a basement hall. It was here that C.T. Russell ran in to the Second Day Adventists. This re-fueled his belief in the Bible's inspiration from God, and he began to study the Bible like never before. He soon came to believe the time was coming near for those who served God to come to a full understanding of His purpose. Fueled by...
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...Could you ever imagine being judged or persecuted for your religious views in today’s time? Were Jehovah’s Witnesses persecuted during the Holocaust along with the Jews? Did they have any impact on how the Holocaust began or ended? The Jehovah’s Witnesses were a religious group who had very little impact on the Holocaust, an event in which they were persecuted in large quantities. In 1872, it became Charles Taze Russell’s personal mission to find God’s word, which in his mind had been buried under years of mistakenly Pagan translations through intensive Bible study. He then led the International Bible Students until 1931 when his successor, Joseph Franklin Rutherford, overtook him. In the 1930’s, the Jehovah’s Witnesses (formerly known as...
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...A majority of former Jehovah’s Witnesses believe the religion has “destroyed or seriously disrupted” their family. This is the result of a recent survey which examined the impact the 'shunning policy' of Jehovah’s Witnesses has on families: 76 percent said their families have no association with them on account of their revoked membership. The survey wanted to know how doctrinal policy of Jehovah’s Witnesses had affected families of former members. 65 percent answered that the policy had destroyed or seriously disrupted their family relationships. 52 percent stated that their family wanted "no contact at all", with 17 percent of Jehovah’s Witnesses actively shunning a relative only getting in touch when they "need something“, reports JWAlumni.org, the Jehovah’s Witnesses News website that conducted the survey. The policy of isolating former members is promoted by the Watchtower Society (JW.org), the corporation overseeing Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide....
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...Jehovah’s Witnesses and Race/Ethnic Groups Cynthia L. Mills College of Humanities/ETH125 Juancho A. Lim, PH.D. January 24, 2014 Jehovah’s Witnesses and Race/Ethnic Groups The Jehovah’s Witnesses have their own set of beliefs set forth for them by The Watchtower Organization. They are taught not to think for themselves but to submit to the Watchtower Society teachings. If they question any of the teachings they are considered weak in the faith. Disfellowshipping is another belief factor that they use to control their members. An individual can also be marked if they do something wrong. They do not believe in blood transfusions for themselves or their children. The saluting of the flag of any nation, saying the pledge of allegiance, taking notice of the national anthem in any way, running or holding public office, voting, or serving in the military is totally forbidden. The Jehovah’s Witnesses are not allowed to celebrate any holidays or birthdays, claiming that they all have pagan roots. They are not allowed to associate with non-Witnesses including family. They do not believe in the Trinity, or in Hell. They believe that Jesus Christ was crucified on a stake, not a cross. (Towerwatch Ministries, 1999-2013). The Jehovah’s Witnesses place a high value on moral living and teach that these standards must be upheld in order to be saved (The Watchtower, 2002). No gambling is allowed, which includes, the lottery, horse racing or bingo. They...
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...Report Jehovah’s Witnesses Stephen Devon Hill Jr. Axia College of the University of Phoenix January 10, 2009 In modern society there are numerous forms of Christianity. Many may be familiar with Catholics, Baptist, or Protestants. One form of Christianity that has created mixed views since its start is that of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Some thoughts that may come to mind when people think of Jehovah’s Witnesses are cult activity, unusual Christian practices, and domineering individuals. This paper will take a look at the life as a Jehovah’s Witness. The paper will cover some of the common practices and beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The paper will also try to clear up some of the misconceptions that others believe about Jehovah’s Witnesses. The author of this paper has taken the time to research the Jehovah Witness religion by visiting a local Kingdom Hall, conducting an in-person interview with an actual Jehovah Witness, and also conducting research on the internet, as well as the library. Background Information The religion of the Jehovah’s Witness began in at the end of the 19th century. The religion was started a small group of Bible students close to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1879 the students began publishing what is known as the Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. The group that was formerly known as International Bible Students became Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1931. Membership of religion is marked by baptism. According to the Jehovah’s Witness...
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...and Ethnic Diversity Culture Diversity June 2, 2013 June 2, 2013 Religious Group Jehovah Witness The religious group Jehovah’s Witness was founded in the 1870s by Charles Taze Russell; he believed that hell did not exist. Jehovah’s Witness also believe in the end of times and Armageddon. Jehovah’s Witness reject the cross because to them the cross represents a fertility symbol; they do not wear crosses nor print the cross on their bibles. “Although Jehovah’s Witnesses identify themselves as comprising a Christian denomination, other groups regard them as a cult that stands outside orthodox Christianity.” (Sharpe, 2010, p. 1) There are other religious groups like the Roman Catholics that believe in forgiveness of sin with a church ritual through confession with help from a priest, the Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) believe that Jesus Christ is the savior of the world; he is the only way to return to the heavenly Father. Mormons believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for the sins of the world. Hinduism believe in reincarnation and Karma which tells a person’s destiny in the life they are living now and in the next life. The beliefs and views of the Jehovah’s Witness is not shared by everyone. “In the precedent-setting 1944 Prince v. Massachusetts decision, which involved a Jehovah's Witness, the court ruled that a child's welfare trumps the religious beliefs of the parents.” (Goodenow, 2009, p. 1) The Judge believed that the parents could...
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...It is really interesting to make a thorough search in what way the religions of the world are different from the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses. Because then we can find out, that the Christian religion of Jehovah’s Witnesses are really different in a big way from the religions of the world. This alone would not be so very interesting. But the interesting point is, that the Christian religion of Jehovah’s Witnesses are different in a positive way. For example: Every Jehovah’s Witness knows outstandingly what the Bible is telling all about. How’s that come to be? Before somebody can become a Witness of Almighty God Jehovah (Jehovah is the Name of God, according to the Bible), he or she must really study the Bible. To that point, that he or she knows and really understands the main Bible teachings. This is one big difference to most other religions. Jehovah’s Witnesses have really a good understanding of the teachings of the Bible. It is also amazing, that even the little ones among Jehovah’s Witnesses know the teachings of the Bible. But this is just one of the reasons, why Jehovah’s Witnesses are in a very positive way different from other religions. We have many different experiences; from the slamming of doors on us; to those who respectfully listen and converse with us. Quite often we find that we can really get people thinking about what they've been taught by their own religion. Some get upset that they've been paying into their religious system all their lives, and haven't...
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...A COMPARISON OF CHRISTIAN BELIEFS TO THOSE OF JEHOVAHS WITNESSES A comparison of Christian beliefs to those of Jehovah’s Witnesses Dana A. Lambert Axia College of The University of Phoenix This small step into identifying and exploring the beliefs and practices of Jehovah’s Witnesses has been both interesting and challenging. Relatively young in years, the religion was founded in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania in 1879 by Charles Taze Russell. (Carmen 2005) Its current practicing members total an estimated 6.95 million people. Its current headquarters is in Brooklyn New York, where the governing body of elders is located. Although constantly under scrutiny by various other religions, Jehovah’s Witnesses have continued to grow over the past 200 years. (Willis 2006) For the purpose of this paper, I spoke in depth to Mr. Michael Campbell, an Elder of the Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall located in Green Cove Springs, Florida. Mr. Campbell has been a Jehovah’s Witness for the past 35 years, and is a personal friend and neighbor to my family. There are approximately 75 members in the Green Cove Springs hall, being established in 2005. Being a friend, Mr. Campbell understands that my questioning of his religious practices is not to confirm or deny, interrogate or subrogate his beliefs or mine in any adversarial way. Actually he stated that it would give him a chance to “speak what he has been learning for the past 35 years from his family room recliner.” I...
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...Bates. The interviewee name is will be stated as Amber. The purpose of this interview was to inform myself of a religion that is not of my own. The religion being discussed is Jehovah Witnesses. The following questions were asked during the interview, 1. Were you born into this religion? 2. If you converted, what was your previous religion? 3. Why did you choose this religion to convert too? 4. What do you think about other religions? 4. Why do you refer to God as Jehovah and not by the name of God? 7. How do you personal respond to individuals who claim that Jehovah’s Witnesses is a cult? 8. What are your thoughts and beliefs on afterlife? 9. Is it true that Jehovah Witness is not allowed to receive blood transfusions? 10. What is the most fulfilling thing about being a Jehovah Witness? The interview started off with introductions of both parties. I then preceded with the interview questions. I asked Amber “Was she born into this religion”? In response to my question she stated that yes, she was in fact born into this religion. In fact so we’re both of her parents. After asking this question, question number two or three were not needed to be asked. But also in response to question one, Amber stated that throughout her family’s history, including her ancestors, everyone was a Jehovah Witnesses. I then asked Amber questions four, “Why do you refer to God as Jehovah and not by the name of God”? Amber’s response was, “Jehovah-Jireh” is one of the many different names of God...
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...encourages faith in God’s now-reigning King, Jesus Christ, whose shed blood opens the way for mankind to gain eternal life. The Watchtower, published by Jehovah’s Witnesses continuously since 1879, is non-political. It adheres to the Bible as its authority.” [ (The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom, 2007) ] Selling Religion Door to Door What do we truly know about Jehovah’s Witnesses? We have all avoided the door when we see them on the doorstep, but what do we know about their beliefs? Are their beliefs similar or different from our own? Why are they on the doorstep? What are they selling? These are the questions I have asked myself many times. This is also one of the reasons I chose to learn more about this religion. I have known a few Jehovah’s Witnesses in my life, and they both had drastically different ways of practicing the religion. Not all Jehovah’s Witnesses conform to the strict rules. In my journey to learn more, I found that more and more followers are becoming disassociated with the group; which puts the future of this organized religion in jeopardy. Charles Taze Russell was a follower and teacher of the Adventist movement of the late 19th century. The Adventists were a group that under the direction of William Miller, believed the second coming of Christ was going to occur in 1843 or 1844. [ (Jehovah's Witness, 2009) ] When this did not happen, the group was divided....
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...Jehovah’s Witnesses By: ******** HUM/130 Religions of the World Jehovah’s Witnesses The Jehovah’s Witnesses religion can seem mysterious or odd to some people who have never looked into the religion or known someone to ask more questions about it. However, this religion has been around since the late nineteenth century and has many followers who attend regular services and believe fully in their religion, as people of other faiths do. As most other religions do, the Jehovah’s Witnesses have a founder of their faith and a history to share about their religion and beliefs. They have a place of worship, which they call The Kingdom Hall, where they worship weekly. In order to better represent this religion I interviewed *****, who is a current Jehovah’s Witness. There are also many similarities and differences between the Jehovah’s Witnesses and more common Christianity religions. For example, Jehovah’s Witnesses and Christian religions agree that Jesus was the son of God. However, they have many separate beliefs; such as Christians celebrate holidays and Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe in celebrating holidays or birthdays. Jehovah’s Witnesses are a type of Christian religion that was founded by Charles Taze Russell in 1872 (Slick, n.d.). He was born on February 16, 1852 and had great difficulty in dealing with the religious doctrine and messages of those times. He particularly disagreed with the following religious ideals: eternal punishment, the holy trinity, the deity...
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...Jehovah’s Witness XXX XXX HUM/130 XXX XXX November 7, 2010 Jehovah’s Witnesses Jehovah’s Witness are a religion that is very different from other mainstream religions. Jehovah’s Witness are not only a very reverent religion, but they also have many ideals that many people could never grow to accept. When speaking with my friend, Stacey Brown, she told me some information about her religion that, to be honest, was very surprising. I also learned interesting information about the Jehovah’s Witnesses place of worship, which they call a Kingdom Hall, which I was unaware of before this paper. Jehovah’s Witnesses are essentially a group of organized Christians, who proclaim that Jehovah is a loving and just God, who is deserving of humanities love and also obedience. Most Jehovah’s Witnesses, including my friend, used to be Catholic or Protestant but have converted. The basis of every one of the teachings that the Jehovah’s preach and study is found in the Bible. She informed me that studying the Bible daily is very important to Jehovah’s Witness. One thing that they do insist is that they are awaiting fulfillment of many of the various prophecies. The reasoning behind Jehovah’s Witnesses going from door-to-door proclaiming their faith is that they are following the example that Jesus set for them when he journeyed from city to city preaching and declaring the good news of the kingdom of God. Contrary to what many may believe, they do not interpret every passage that...
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...RELIGON AND ETHNIC DIVERSITY The religious beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses are in many ways similar to those of mainstream Christians. For instance, Witnesses rely on the authority of the Bible, worship only one God, and trust in Jesus’ death and resurrection for salvation. Some other beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses differ from mainstream Christianity, most notably their rejection of the doctrine of the Trinity and the existence of Hell. Witnesses also have a stronger apocalyptic expectation than most Christians-since the founding of the group, Witnesses have been expecting the imminent arrival of Armageddon and the end times. Jehovah’s Witnesses disagree with the mainstream Christian belief that Jesus was “fully God, fully Man.” In accordance with their rejection of the doctrine of the Trinity, Witnesses disagree with mainstream Christianity that the Holy Spirit to be “God’s active force.” Like most Christians, Jehovah’s Witnesses trace humanity’s current situation to the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden. Jehovah’s Witnesses consider themselves true Christians, but most mainstream Christians do not agree that they are. The feeling is mutual, however, Jehovah’s Witnesses deny that other Christian groups are true Christians. The Jehovah’s Witnesses are native to the United States with roots dating back to the teachings of Charles Taze Russell, a minister in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the 1870s. The organization does not advertise in the media and strives to remain separate...
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...and Ethnic Diversity Culture Diversity June 2, 2013 June 2, 2013 Religious Group Jehovah Witness The religious group Jehovah’s Witness was founded in the 1870s by Charles Taze Russell; he believed that hell did not exist. Jehovah’s Witness also believe in the end of times and Armageddon. Jehovah’s Witness reject the cross because to them the cross represents a fertility symbol; they do not wear crosses nor print the cross on their bibles. “Although Jehovah’s Witnesses identify themselves as comprising a Christian denomination, other groups regard them as a cult that stands outside orthodox Christianity.” (Sharpe, 2010, p. 1) There are other religious groups like the Roman Catholics that believe in forgiveness of sin with a church ritual through confession with help from a priest, the Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) believe that Jesus Christ is the savior of the world; he is the only way to return to the heavenly Father. Mormons believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for the sins of the world. Hinduism believe in reincarnation and Karma which tells a person’s destiny in the life they are living now and in the next life. The beliefs and views of the Jehovah’s Witness is not shared by everyone. “In the precedent-setting 1944 Prince v. Massachusetts decision, which involved a Jehovah's Witness, the court ruled that a child's welfare trumps the religious beliefs of the parents.” (Goodenow, 2009, p. 1) The Judge believed that the parents could...
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...Jehovah's Witnesses is a group[->0] with more than seven million members throughout the world. They believe God[->1] is about to end the present system of life in the world, with its crime, violence, sickness and death, and replace it with his Kingdom which will bring about peace for all humans who live by Bible[->2] standards. Most of the religion's beliefs are based on the Bible and these beliefs were taught by Charles Taze Russell, a preacher who started a Bible study group in Pennsylvania[->3], USA[->4] in 1876, and later started publishing a religious magazine called The Watchtower[->5]. Many of those beliefs, especially about who God is and what his plans are for humans and the earth, are different to what is taught in mainstream Christian churches. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that only 144,000 people will go to heaven and that the remaining people who obey God will live forever[->6] on a paradise[->7] Earth[->8]. They do not believe that God is a Trinity[->9], and teach that when people die, they remain in their grave until Jesus Christ[->10] resurrects them after God's Kingdom, or government, is ruling over earth. Witnesses are best known for preaching[->11] their beliefs from door-to-door and in other public places, and offering their magazines, The Watchtower and Awake! They are also well known for refusing to join armies and refusing blood transfusions. In 1870 a young clothing shop owner named Charles Taze Russell heard an Adventist[->12] preacher explain that...
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