Introduction
Jehovah’s Witnesses is one of the international Christian denominations. The doctrine of Jehovah’s Witnesses has much in common with the teaching of unorthodox directions in Christianity. Still, it differs in a specific understanding of many religious concepts, making it difficult to classify the movement. The organization is known for rejecting blood transfusions and celebrating traditional religious holidays. However, other crucial points help to understand the ideas and beliefs. The paper provides knowledge of the fundamental principles of the organization. For this purpose, it is important to analyze Jehovah’s Witnesses’ activity, structure, history, beliefs, and the right of free exercise of religion. Moreover, these days, there are some critiques of the movement from various society’s parts, including medical institutions, governments, and other confessions.
Overview
Even though Jehovah’s Witnesses use Christian terminology, the organization is classified as a new religious movement. They reject most Christian beliefs, for instance, the creation of the world, the immortality of the soul, and the doctrine of the Trinity (Cole, 2019). Nevertheless, Jehovah’s Witnesses acknowledge death and the Resurrection (Cole, 2019). This religious movement is characterized by the expectation of the imminent end of the world and the establishment of a paradise on Earth, where those whom Jehovah’s Witnesses consider worthy will live eternally (Chryssides, 2019). Thus, it has several common features and significant differences from Christianity.
Regarding the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ status, the opinions of religious scholars are different. Some of them consider the denomination to be Seventh-day Adventists (Chryssides, 2019). Simultaneously, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not classify themselves as Protestants, regarding fundamental differences from Protestantism (Chryssides, 2019). Some other researchers examine this movement as a para-Christian and pseudo-Christian organization, while many theologians classify Jehovah’s Witnesses as sects (Chryssides, 2019). Hence, the perception of Jehovah’s Witnesses remains debatable in religious studies.
Activity and Structure
Jehovah’s Witnesses’ principal activity is disseminating their teachings and offering their literature. In the United States, they have the opportunity to conduct a promotion on radio and television (Chryssides, 2019). The movement uses several legal entities to advance its goals; the oldest and best known are the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania (Knox, 2018). The organization’s funds are made up of donations and the sale of printed materials (Cole, 2019). Gatherings are often closed, but Jehovah’s Witnesses need to spend several hours per month spreading their materials and beliefs by communication or distributing brochures.
Concerning Jehovah’s Witnesses’ popularity and governance, the organization is widespread globally. The movement has a multilevel management structure, headed by 10-15 people; membership is usually lifelong (Cole, 2019). Religious and administrative centers are located in Warwick, Wallkill, and Patterson (Chryssides, 2019). Congregations worldwide are directed by local branches, each with a committee of three to seven members, and Jehovah’s Witnesses currently have units throughout the world (Chryssides, 2019). The total amount of active members is estimated at approximately 8 million people (Cole, 2019). Jehovah’s Witnesses’ activities are prohibited in several countries, including China, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Iraq (Cole, 2019). In the US, there is the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ largest congregation, but significant portions are in Mexico, Brazil, Nigeria, and Japan (Knox, 2018). Every adept’s action requires unconditional obedience to the organization’s will; no one has the right to leave it on their own (Knox, 2018). The movement cultivates and maintains among its adherents the non-acceptance of those who do not recognize its doctrine (Knox, 2018). In this regard, Jehovah’s Witnesses are often accused of inciting religious hatred.
History
The appearance of the Jehovah’s Witnesses movement originated in the 19th century in the United States, providing unique Bible interpretations. The organization was founded in the 1870s in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, by pastor Charles Taze Russell (Knox, 2017). In the beginning, the movement was called the Bible Students (Knox, 2017). It did not reject the most fundamental Christian beliefs compared to the present day. Bible students considered the cross a symbol of Christianity and celebrated Christmas and birthdays (Chryssides, 2019). The Bible Students’ meetings were built on democratic principles. Hence, the leaders in the congregations were chosen by voting.
Referring to the 19th century, formed the features of the organization. According to Chryssides (2019), in 1879, Russell published the first issue of the journal “Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence”, known as The Watchtower. The latter was formed as a legal entity to support the activities of the Bible Students. Russell was the first society’s president; the adherents believed that the last days of humanity began in 1799, with Christ reigning as King over heaven since 1878, and expected Armageddon to occur in 1914 (Chryssides, 2019). In 1931, the name Jehovah’s Witnesses was adopted (Chryssides, 2019). It means that the organization members in words and deeds testify to Jehovah, which is a variant of the transcription of one of God’s names. The organization’s foundations and principles began to develop at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century.
Religious Beliefs
Jehovah
Jehovah’s Witnesses reject the Holy Trinity and believe in the sovereignty of one God, whom they call Jehovah. Their beliefs are derived from the Old and New Testaments. Their interpretations of Scripture are created based on the teachings of Russell (Knox, 2018). Witnesses believe that Jehovah is the Supreme Being and Christ is his son (Cole, 2019). Jesus is inferior to God because he is Lord’s creation (Knox, 2018). He gave his life to redeem god-fearing Jehovah’s Witnesses (Knox, 2018). The central belief in Jesus is that he rose from the dead not as a physical being but as an immortal spirit.
Satan
Jehovah’s Witnesses are convinced that Satan is the invisible ruler of the world. The teaching claims that his influence is felt in other religious organizations, especially in the Catholic Church (Cole, 2019). Adherents consider it possible to obey only those laws that do not contradict divine orders (Cole, 2019). Therefore, Jehovah’s Witnesses refuse to honor the flag and do military service; they avoid blood use – neither for food nor during transfusion; refuse membership in public organizations (Cole, 2019). They promote not following laws and customs that are unacceptable from a biblical standpoint.
Life After Death
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Christ will return and defeat Satan in the final battle with the forces of evil – the so-called Armageddon. After victory on earth, ideal conditions for life will be created (Knox, 2018). Death of the body inherited by humankind from Adam will disappear; evil will also vanish
(Cole, 2019). According to Jehovah’s Witnesses’ beliefs, after death, sinners cease to exist and will not be called to live in the new age (Knox, 2018). Based on their interpretation of some biblical texts, Jehovah’s Witnesses claim that only 144,000 elect will go to Heaven (Knox, 2018). Jehovah’s Witnesses believe neither in hell nor in the immortality of the soul.
Practices
There are no priests in this church, and Jehovah’s Witnesses do not recognize church titles. Jehovah’s Witnesses members meet once a week in modestly tidy Kingdom Halls and are primarily engaged in Bible studies (Cole, 2019). Each member of the organization becomes a Jehovah’s Witness through immersion baptism; after that, the new adherents should devote themselves to the denomination through public testimony (Chryssides, 2019). In addition to baptism, members acknowledge a biblically attested memorial celebrated annually during the Passover with the tasting of bread and grape juice or wine (Cole, 2019). There are also unique wedding and funeral rituals. Jehovah’s Witnesses claim that by studying the Bible, they come to new conclusions and reject old, incorrect ones such as the veneration of the cross (Knox, 2018). As a result, the movement’s doctrine has been revised several times.
Free Exercise of Religion
In the 20th century, Jehovah’s Witnesses brought a series of landmark lawsuits to the US Supreme Court. These lawsuits have tested and strengthened the First Amendment laws of the United States Constitution that protect freedoms of speech, religion, and assembly (Cantwell v. Connecticut, 1940). As Jehovah’s Witnesses hold non-traditional beliefs and share them with unbelievers, the latter may be annoyed or offended by their efforts. In 1940, Jehovah’s Witness Jesse Cantwell made two men angry with his knock on the door they secured his arrest for disorderly conduct and lack of permission (Cantwell v. Connecticut, 1940). Consequently, the Supreme Court concluded that this violated Cantwell’s First Amendment rights.
In the Cantwell v. Connecticut case, the Supreme Court established that governments could not determine religious belief or practice. The court also held that silencing people’s views can be considered a violation of human rights if their opinions do not provoke violent, aggressive behavior (Cantwell v. Connecticut, 1940). The court referred to its 1940 Cantwell ruling to support the peaceful imparting of others’ beliefs to settle future landmark civil rights claims (Cantwell v. Connecticut, 1940). Therefore, Jehovah’s Witnesses have helped protect the rights of millions of Americans to express their beliefs.
Critique
Most often, Jehovah’s Witnesses are accused of neglecting life by refusing to receive blood transfusions. Several researchers argue that being a Jehovah’s Witness significantly increases the risk of developing mental illness and disorders (Chryssides, 2019). Besides, they are accused of destroying families and avoiding military service. Furthermore, the organization is characterized by a severe attitude towards former members (Chryssides, 2019). For instance, baptized Jehovah’s Witnesses who have committed grave sins, spread divisions, or criticized the organization’s activities, are expelled from the organization, affecting their mental health (Chryssides, 2019). This denomination has features of a millenarian organization with strict rules and punishments.
Conclusion
To sum up, the Jehovah’s Witnesses organization remains controversial, uniting a significant portion of people around the world. Jehovah’s Witnesses provide an uncommon interpretation of the Bible and have a unique system of religious views and ideas about the ultimate destinies of human beings and the world. They do not smoke, do not use alcohol and drugs, and oppose divorce. However, they do not recognize government institutions and civic responsibilities, refuse to serve in the army, and prohibit blood transfusions. They teach that all human-made institutions, including government and organized religion, are inherently corrupt. For this reason, they refuse to participate in political activities such as voting and military service, and taking the oath. Therefore, in modern religious scholars’ classifications, there is no consensus about Jehovah’s Witnesses’ confessional affiliation.
References
Cantwell v. Connecticut, 310 U.S. 296 (1940) Web.
Chryssides, G. D. (2019). Historical Dictionary of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Rowman & Littlefield.
Cole, M. (2019). Jehovah’s Witnesses: The new world society. Routledge.
Knox, Z. (2017). The history of the Jehovah’s Witnesses: An appraisal of recent scholarship. Journal of Religious History, 41(2), 251-260. Web.