2. Who are the Jehovahâs
Witnesses?
The Jehovahâs Witnesses are a unique
religious Christian group that possess very
distinct views from that of the more
widespread religions. They offer a highly
different way of interpreting the world
through the Bible.
4. Origins of the Movement
(âBrief History of Watchtowerâ)
5. (âBrief History of Watchtowerâ)
Founder: Charles Russell
Founded International Bible Studentsâ
Association in 1872
Formed Zionâs Watchtower Tract Society in
1881 as legal headquarters
Predicted end of the world, visible coming of
Christ in 1914
6. Russell succeeded Joseph Rutherford in 1916
Made sweeping changes to the group organization
Changes caused dissent; group diverged
1931- Adopted name Jehovahâs Witnesses
(Hagensick)
(âBible Student Movementâ)
9. What Does This Culture Believe?
One God named Jehovah
End of the world is very soon
End marks Christâs 1000 year reign; mankind is
resurrected
144,000 go to Heaven, rest have chance at
earthly paradise
No Hell- souls of the wicked are destroyed
(âWhat Hope is
There?â)
10. Voting, Pledge of Allegiance, Military Service
Shows favor to human rule
âChristians are subject to Godâs kingdom and their
allegiance lies solely to himâ (Penton 248)
Blood Transfusions
âkeep abstaining from things sacrificed to idols, from blood,
from what is strangled, and from sexual immoralityâ (New
World Translation, Acts 15.28-9)
Christmas, Easter, Birthdays, etc.
Pagan Origins
God says to celebrate death, not birth
(Lam)
(Scalpel)
11. Family Dynamics
Encouraged to marry within group
Marriages in Kingdom Hall with no toasting, confetti, etc.
Husband is head of the family
Wives must be fully obedient to husband
Children must be obedient to parents and authority figures
12. Family Dynamics
âThey are instructed, however, that all such obedience is relative; they must
respect God above all, and if ⊠others order them to violate a Christian
principle, they âmust obey God rather than menââ (Penton 268)
(âHelp for the Familyâ)
13. Education
Higher education is highly deemphasized
Preaching is seen much more important during these âlast daysâ
âTimothy, who comes from a religiously divided household, faces a choice. Will
he focus on higher education and wealth or will he decide to serve Jehovah
whole-souled?â (âPursue Goals that Honor Godâ)
(âStrategic Planâ)
14.
15. Door-to-Door Evangelizing
Door-to-door preaching is a huge part of this culture
All members preach; God said to âmake disciples of people of all the nationsâ
(New World Translation, Matthew 28.19-20)
Have a large headquarters called Bethel to make large masses of magazines
(âHow is Preaching Organized?â)
16. Relations with the World
Witnesses have endured rough relations
with society
Nonstandard practices and views have
made them targets of hate
âThey have been assaulted, mobbed,
beaten, tarred and feathered, castrated,
raped, and murderedâ (Penton 141)
(âCheeses Christâ)
17. Relations with the World
Though mainly one-sided, Jehovahâs Witnesses have reciprocated these feelings
Have historically been highly critical of other religions, but this is slowly fading
âThe Evil One controls the whole worldâ (New World Translation, John 5.19)
Believe political systems and much of society not in Godâs favor
18. Jehovahâs Witnesses face a unique situation of being highly
sociable with and also alienated from society. Their preaching work
puts them very close to members outside their religion. At the same
time, they hold strongly onto these different views that sets them
apart from mainstream society.
Final Note
19. Works Cited
"A Brief History of the Watchtower After Pastor Russellâs Death." FriendsofJehovahsWitnesses. Friends of Jehovah's Witnesses, 24 Sept.
2011. Web. 9 May 2014.
"Bible Student Movement." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 05 Oct. 2013. Web. 10 May 2014.
"Cheeses Christ." ZeroBS Jehovahs Witnesses Tag. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2014.
Hagensick, Carl. "Regathering." Heraldmag. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2014.
"Help for the Family." JW.ORG. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 May 2014.
"How Do Jehovah's Witnesses Organize Their Preaching Work?" JW.ORG. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2014.
"In the World, but Not of the World: The Story of Adolescents Who Defected from the Jehovah's Witnesses." Reflexive Action. Wordpress,
n.d. Web. 10 May 2014.
King, Robert. "Waiting on Jehovah - My Story." Jehovahs Witnesses Watchman. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 May 2014.
"Life Without End-At Last! | Become Jehovah's Friend." JW.ORG. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 May 2014.
New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. S.l.: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, 1984. Print.
Penton, M. James. Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. Toronto: U of Toronto, 1985. Print.
Rose, Devin. "Jehovahâs Witnesses Knock on the Wrong Door." St Josephs Vanguard. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 May 2014.
"Strategic Plan for Higher Education." Universityofburao.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 May 2014.
"Two New Governing Body Members." Governing Body Letters. Wordpress, n.d. Web. 2 May 2014.
"What Hope Is There for the Dead? | Good News." JW.ORG. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 May 2014.
"What Is Paradise? | What the Bible Says." JW.ORG. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 May 2014.