Who Are Jehovah's Witnesses?
Jehovah's Witnesses are a Christian denomination known for their distinctive beliefs and active evangelism. With approximately 8.7 million active members (called "publishers") in over 118,000 congregations worldwide, they are one of the most organized and recognizable religious groups. They take their name from the Hebrew name for God — Jehovah — and see themselves as witnesses to his sovereignty and kingdom.
Core Beliefs
God
- They worship Jehovah (God) as the one true God and Creator
- They do NOT believe in the Trinity — they consider it an unbiblical doctrine
- They believe Jesus is God's first creation and the Son of God, but NOT God himself
- The Holy Spirit is viewed as God's active force, not a separate person
Jesus Christ
- Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah, but not part of a Trinity
- He was the first of God's creations (identified with the Archangel Michael in his pre-human existence)
- His death provides the ransom sacrifice for human sins
- He was resurrected as a spirit being, not physically
- He has been ruling invisibly as King since 1914
The Bible
- They use their own translation, the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
- They believe the Bible is God's inspired word and their ultimate authority
- Their interpretation is guided by the Governing Body, an eight-member leadership group at headquarters
The Afterlife
- They do NOT believe in hell as a place of eternal torment
- Death is a state of non-existence (like sleep)
- 144,000 chosen Christians will rule in heaven with Christ
- The majority of faithful Witnesses will be resurrected to live forever on a paradise earth
- The wicked will simply cease to exist (no eternal punishment)
God's Kingdom
- God's Kingdom is an actual government in heaven, with Christ as King
- It began ruling in 1914 (based on their biblical chronology)
- It will soon destroy all human governments in the Battle of Armageddon
- After Armageddon, a thousand-year reign of peace will restore the earth to paradise
Distinctive Practices
What They Do
- Door-to-door evangelism: Spending hours each month sharing their message
- Weekly meetings: Attending midweek and weekend meetings at Kingdom Halls
- Bible study: Personal study and organized Bible study programs
- Assemblies: Regional and international conventions several times per year
What They Don't Do
- No holidays: They don't celebrate Christmas, Easter, birthdays, or national holidays, viewing them as having pagan origins
- No blood transfusions: Based on their interpretation of Acts 15:28-29 and other scriptures about abstaining from blood
- No military service: They maintain strict political neutrality
- No voting: They do not participate in political elections
- No flag saluting: They do not salute flags or sing national anthems
Organization and Leadership
The Jehovah's Witnesses organization is hierarchically structured:
- The Governing Body: Eight men at world headquarters who direct all doctrinal and organizational matters
- Branch Committees: Oversee operations in different countries
- Circuit Overseers: Travel among congregations to provide oversight
- Elders: Local congregation leaders (always male)
- Ministerial Servants: Assistant roles in the congregation
Controversies and Criticism
Shunning (Disfellowshipping)
Members who leave or are expelled are completely cut off from social contact with active Witnesses, including family members. Critics argue this causes severe psychological harm and functions as a control mechanism.
Failed Predictions
The organization has made specific predictions about the end of the world that did not come to pass, including dates in 1914 (as the end of the world, later reinterpreted), 1925, and 1975.
Child Abuse Handling
Investigations in several countries have revealed problems in how the organization handles allegations of child sexual abuse, including a "two-witness rule" that critics say protects abusers.
Resources
- JW.org — Official website
- Watchtower Online Library — Publications archive
- Request a Bible Study