This is on the Chaplian Care page ( http://www.chaplaincare.navy.mil/index.htm ), specifically here: http://www.chaplaincare.navy.mil/JehovahWitnesses.htm
This has to be one of the most non-biased, yet damning views on the WTS. After reading this with an open mind, how can one NOT see the JW religion as a cult?
There are nothing but facts written in this article and little (if any) personal views or pro and con arguments. In fact, it's not argumentative at all. It's simply facts.
My favorite facts are highlighted. It's a lonnnng essay but definitely worth reading.
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Overview:
Jehovah's Witnesses derive their name from:
Jehovah, an English translation of the name for God in the Hebrew Scriptures. | |
Witnesses which is taken from the passage in Isaiah 43:10 (and similar passages): "Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord..." |
They are a high intensity faith group which expects a major commitment from its membership.
They currently have about 6 million publishers and pioneers in over 75,000 congregations in more than 200 countries. In excess of 14 million people (pioneers, publishers, adherents and potential members) attended their Memorial service at the time of Passover in 1999. There are almost 1 million witnesses in the U.S., about 111,000 in Canada. 25
They have expanded widely throughout Europe and Russia. J.G. Melton, an authority on religious groups, has stated: 3 "In every single country of Europe, with one exception, the second largest religious group in that country is the Jehovah's Witnesses....They are number two in all of Eastern Europe and they are heading that way in Russia." We have been unable to verify the accuracy of these data. The Jehovah's Witnesses 1999 statistical report shows that Witnesses total less than 2% of the population of Curaao, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Norfolk Island, St. Eustatius, St. Helena, and St. Maarten. 25 They form less than 1% of the population of all other countries in the world. For example, in countries with over 50 million population:
Country | Percentage of Witnesses |
Argentina | .33% |
Bangladesh | .00008% |
Brazil | .31% |
Britain | .21% |
Canada | .36% |
Columbia | .25% |
Congo, Dem. Repl. | .23% |
Ethiopia | .01% |
France | .20% |
Germany | .20% |
India | .002% |
Italy | .40% |
Japan | .18% |
Mexico | .54% |
Nigeria | .21% |
Pakistan | .0004% |
Philippines | .18% |
Russia | .07% |
Thailand | .003% |
Turkey | .002 |
Ukraine | .21% |
USA | .36% |
History:
The WTS traces their origin to Charles Taze Russell (1852-1916). After periods of being a Presbyterian, Congregationalist, skeptic, and Adventist, he organized a Bible study group in Pennsylvania in 1870. The group's intense examination of the Bible caused them to reject traditional Christian teachings on the nature of deity, and the immortality of the soul.
By 1880, 30 congregations had been formed in 7 states. Zion's Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society was incorporated in 1884. In 1896, it dropped Zion from its name. After Russell's death in 1916, the WTS's lawyer, Judge Joseph Franklin Rutherford took over the presidency. Under Rutherford's leadership, the Society became more centrally controlled. Perhaps his best known phrase was "Millions now living will never die" .
Prior to World War I, the Society had recommended that Witnesses abstain from entering the armed forces. If compelled to enter they army, they should go, but work in a non-combative role (as in medical service). 10 A group of members called Steadfasters opposed all support of World War I. Later, the Society adopted the stance of the Steadfasters.
A split occurred in 1917 over the direction and leadership of the Watchtower organization. One of the largest breakoff groups was known as The Dawn Bible Students Association of East Rutherford NJ.
In 1931, the organization became known as Jehovah's Witnesses to avoid confusion with other Bible Student groups. After Rutherford's death in 1942, Nathan Homer Knorr was elected president. Under his leadership, the WTS greatly increased its publication efforts and published their a new translation of the Bible that is used mainly by Jehovah's Witnesses. Succeeding Knorr was Frederick W. Franz (Knorr's vice-president).
Their refusal to salute the flag, to assist the war effort, to vote etc. caused them to be very unpopular in some countries. Witnesses were heavily persecuted during World War II, because of their non-involvement in the armed forces and war industries. A very large percentage of German church members were exterminated during the Nazi Holocaust. The religion was banned in Canada in 1940 (one year following Canada's entry into the war). Children were expelled from school; other children were placed in foster homes; members were jailed; men who refused to enter the army were sent to work camps. They remain banned in some countries and heavily persecuted in many others. The WTS has contributed heavily to the preservation of religious freedom in the US; they won 36 out of 45 religiously based cases that they took to the US Supreme Court between 1938 and 1955. The Jehovah's Witnesses
"have performed a signal service to democracy by their fight to preserve their civil rights, for in their struggle they have done much to secure those rights for every minority group in America. When the civil rights of any one group are invaded, the rights of no other group are safe. They have therefore made a definite contribution to the preservation of some of the most precious things in our democracy." 11
Religious Texts
They revere the Bible as the infallible, revealed word of God. In 1961, they published their own English version called New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. It is currently available (wholly or in part) in over a dozen languages, and will shortly be seen in 30. The translation was made by an anonymous group who donated their work to the WTS. Some Biblical scholars and other Christians who are not Jehovah's Witnesses have criticized the translation, implying that the original Hebrew and Greek texts have been distorted during translation to more suitably reflect WTS theology. | |
They publish two semi-monthly magazines for public distribution. One is the WATCHTOWER which has a circulation in excess of 22 million world-wide, in 129 languages. They also distribute the non-theologically based periodical Awake with a circulation of almost 20 million, in 81 languages. Kingdom Ministry is a monthly publication for use within the organization. (Data valid at 1998-NOV-1) | |
They publish many anonymously written booklets and a few videos, such as:
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Organizational Structure
The Society is organized into:
Governing Body: This is a group of anointed men in the Brooklyn NY head office. It currently consists of 11 members. | |
Publishers and Pioneers. These are members of both genders and all ages who actively go from door to door, attempting to convert the public. Those who are dedicated, full-time preachers are given the title Regular Pioneer. They commit to preach for 840 hours per year. Auxiliary Pioneers do 50 hours a month for one or more consecutive months. Special Pioneers are selected from among the Regular Pioneers and are sent to go wherever the need is greatest. Publishers typically go door-to-door once per week, often on Saturdays. If a publisher does not turn in her/his time for six months in a row, they are considered inactive and are given "shepherding calls" to encourage them to reactivate their ministry. | |
Congregations (called Kingdom Halls): Appointed members, called Overseers or Elders are each given a specific role. For example, the Presiding Overseer leads the elder meetings. The Service Overseer handles ministry issues within the congregation. Ministerial Servants handle administrative duties and assist the Elders. | |
Circuits are groups of about 20 congregations, served by a Circuit Overseer. The "CO" periodically visits each congregation twice annually for a one week period. Circuits also organize two day conventions for their congregations, which are held twice a year. | |
Districts are made up from many circuits; there are 22 districts in the United States. The District Overseer (DO) runs the district conventions which are held once a year. He also attends the circuit conventions. | |
A number of districts form a Branch | |
A number of branches for a Zone | |
Headquarters is in Brooklyn NY. |
Beliefs about blood:
Blood Transfusion:
They refuse to accept blood transfusions and do not allow them to be given to their children. This is based upon four passages in the Bible which prohibit the consuming of blood:
Genesis 9:4 "But flesh (meat) with...blood...ye shall not eat" | |
Leviticus 17:12-14 "...No soul of you shall eat blood...whosoever eateth it shall be cut off" | |
Acts 15:29 "That ye abstain...from blood..." | |
Acts 21:25 "...Gentiles...keep themselves from things offered to idols and from blood..." |
The WTS interprets "eating" of blood in its most general form to include accepting "transfusion of whole blood, packed RBCs, and plasma, as well as WBC and platelet administration." . Essentially all other Christian and Jewish faith groups belief that the passages refer to dietary laws; i.e. to the actual eating of meat containing blood.
Because Witnesses believe that any blood that leaves the body must be destroyed, they do not approve of an individual storing his own blood for a later autotransfusion. 24
Child Protective Services often intrude on parents' rights and take into care sick WTS children whose health or life is threatened by the lack of a blood transfusion. An adult Jehovah's Witness who willingly accepts a blood transfusion is considered to be committing a sin and might forfeit his or her eternal life. Many non WTS sources imply that the church teaches that all who have had a transfusion (even if given against their will or at an age or situation when they cannot give informed consent) will lose their eternal life. This is in error.
In 1997-FEB, the American Medical Association estimated that this belief has "led thousands to die needlessly."1 The WTS periodical Awake once showed pictures of Jehovah's Witnesses children who followed the churches ban on blood transfusions and died. 2 It is, of course, unknown how many would still have died if they had a transfusion. One particularly sad case occurred in the UK when a woman bled to death after giving birth to her second child. 17
An unusual court case involving a Witness and a blood transfusion occurred in Pomona, CA. Keith Cook, a drunken driver, had rammed his pickup truck into a stationary car, pushing it into a 55 year old woman, Jadine Russell. she was standing by the side of the road. She was a Jehovah's Witness, refused a blood transfusion, and died in hospital. Cook was found not guilty on his original murder charge, but was convicted of manslaughter. Prosecutors said Cook was responsible for the death because he caused the injuries. His lawyers argued that the immediate cause of Russell's death was her refusal of a blood transfusion. 18
There appears to be a significant movement within the medical community to minimize or eliminate blood transfusions during surgery. 20,21,22 The group: Associated Jehovah's Witnesses for Reform on Blood " describe themselves as "a diverse group of Witnesses from many countries, including elders and other organization officials, Hospital Liaison Committee members, Doctors, and members of the general public who have volunteered their time and energies in an effort to bring about an end to a tragic and misguided policy that has claimed thousands of lives, many of them children. promoting change within the WTS on the topic of blood transfusions." 23
Organ transplants:
In 1967, they said that organ transplants are a form of cannibalism and are to be shunned. 12 They reversed this decision in 1980 and made transplants a matter of personal conscience.13 Unfortunately, some Jehovah's Witnesses had died between 1967 and 1980 because they had refused available transplants.
Bone marrow transplants:
In 1963, they considered that any fraction of blood was a nutrient and not to be used in medical treatment. 15 In 1978, they reversed this decision for certain blood fractions used for the treatment of hemophiliacs. 16 In 1984, they declared that accepting a bone marrow transplant was up to the individual conscience. 14
Other Beliefs:
Many Jehovah's Witnesses beliefs, (e.g. inerrancy of the Bible, the Virgin Birth, Jesus giving his life as a ransom for past and future humanity, opposition to divorce, homosexuality, pre-marital sex and abortion, the power of Satan, etc.) are similar to those of Fundamentalist Christianity.
Exceptions are:
They do not believe in the Trinity. Instead, they follow a strict monotheism, in which:
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The Heavenly Kingdom took effect in 1914 with the invisible enthronement of Christ as King. It is currently occupied by a little flock or Anointed Class of about 135,400 people. All were selected after Christ's ascension into heaven at Pentecost (33 CE) and during subsequent centuries. The selection of the full complement of 144,000 was completed in 1935. Some 8,600 are still living on earth. They will spend eternity with God and Christ as spirit creatures. The latter number increases slightly from time to time as anointed but unfaithful members are replaced. | |
They reject the traditional symbol of Christianity, the cross, as being of pagan origin. They translate the Greek word from the Christian Scriptures "stauros" as "torture stake", and believe that Jesus was crucified on a single upright wooden stake with no cross beam. | |
Christ's Second Coming was not a physical return to earth. It was an invisible event in 1914 in which Satan and Christ engaged in a heavenly battle. Afterwards, Christ began to the rule the Heavenly Kingdom as King of Kings. Satan was expelled to Earth. World War I was a visible sign of Satan's earthly and the beginning of the woes that would accompany the "last days of this system of things." | |
In the very near future, the battle of Armageddon will begin. Jesus, under Jehovah's divine rage, will execute vengeance upon the rest of Christendom and followers of other religions. The WTS refers to other religions as Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion (Revelation 17). After much suffering, massive human extermination and many upheavals, the world will be purified. God's Kingdom, a theocracy, will be established on earth for 1000 years. This is known as the millennium or the New System of things. The "other sheep" (those who survive Armageddon, will live in peace in the newly created utopia. They will be joined by the worthy dead who have been resurrected. | |
After the 1000 years of God's Kingdom, Satan and his demons will be released for a short time. They, and their human followers, will then be destroyed. | |
People who die before Armageddon actually cease to exist. They expire and their body deteriorates and returns to dust. At the time of resurrection, God will create a new body for each believer. It will be similar to their former shell, but without the imperfections. They will resume life with their original personality and memories. | |
They totally deny the existence of the traditional Christian view of Hell. Satan is regarded as having created the concept of Hellfire in order to turn people against God. They believe that hell is the "common grave of mankind" where people go when they die. They are not conscious there. Unbelievers simply cease to exist at death. | |
Salvation requires that one must accept doctrines as interpreted by the Governing Body from the Bible, be baptized as a Jehovah's Witness and follow the program of works as laid out by the Governing Body. (Evangelical Christians deny the necessity of "works" which is implicit in the third requirement). |
Practices:
They recognize only one day of celebration: the Memorial of Christ's Death at the time of Passover. Although they estimate that Jesus was born on October 2, this date is not celebrated. Members who are found celebrating "worldly" or "Pagan" holidays, like Christmas, Thanksgiving, Independence Day, Canada Day, Halloween, etc.) may be disfellowshipped (excommunicated). | |
They do not have a Sabbath; they regard all days as holy. There are five meetings each week:
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There is a great deal of misinformation about WTS' limitations on access to the Bible. In reality, members are free to use Bible translations, commentaries, dictionaries etc. which are produced by non-Watchtower publishers. They are encouraged to read the Bible. Each Witness is given a goal of reading of the entire Bible in one year. They encourage Bible study through using of WTS publications as guides. | |
They only observe two sacraments:
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They regard the world as being under the control of Satan. For this reason they do not run for public office, salute the flag, join the Armed Forces, or vote in elections. | |
They are absolutely non-racist. However, this policy appears to have been not followed in some localities. 19 | |
Like many conservative faith groups, they do not give equal opportunity for women to lead. Power and authority within the family and the WTS are reserved for men only. | |
Motivated by a desire for self-preservation, they are dedicated to the principle of religious freedom and have pursued dozens of cases of religious discrimination and persecution to the United States Supreme Court and through the court systems of other countries. | |
A variety of methods of enforcing membership discipline are used. Members may be reproved in private during a meeting with the elders. A public announcement may be made to the congregation that they had been reproved and found to be repentant. Members who are found guilty of serious violations of WTS teachings and practices, and who refuse to repent are disfellowshipped. Fellow members are then required to shun him/her completely, having no contact. If the disfellowshipped person is a family member, then they are treated normally within the family, except that they are made to understand that their actions are disapproved of. Also there is no discussion about church matters in their presence. This can have a devastating effect on a person whose entire religious, family and social life are grounded in the Society. It has occasionally resulted in suicide. |
Opposition to the WTS:
Much criticism has been directed at the Society because of its unique beliefs, its severe criticism of other faith groups, its refusal to accept blood transfusions, its withdrawal from civic responsibilities, and its continued unsuccessful efforts to predict the date of Armageddon.
Some examples of the opposition are:
In 1913, Russell was criticized for selling miracle wheat seed at an inflated price. When he and the seed was ridiculed in a local paper, he sued the newspaper and lost. Government witnesses testified that the wheat was of an inferior grade. He never profited personally from the sales; the proceeds only amounted to $1800. Contrary to the statements of WTS detractors, there is no evidence that Russel intended fraud. He apparently believed that the wheat was more miraculous than it really was. | |
Rev. J.J. Ross of Hamilton ON wrote a pamphlet denouncing Russell's morals and qualifications for the ministry. He misquoted court transcripts. For example he stated that Russel claimed to know Greek; in reality, Russel only claimed to know the Greek alphabet. | |
The WTS translation of the Bible has been criticized severely for changing the meanings of many key passages by insertion of words, such as other and a in places in a way that reverses the meaning of the verses. Some have claimed that the WTS's Translation Committee was almost devoid of credentials; all but one apparently were untrained in Biblical Greek and Hebrew. | |
They have predicted that the start of Armageddon would occur in 1914, 1918, 1920, 1925, and 1941. None of the prophecies have come true. Each failed estimate caused some disillusioned members to leave the organization. The WTS reported that 1975 was the 6000th anniversary of the creation of Adam in the Garden of Eden in 4026 BCE. This prompted much of the WTS membership to assume that 1975 was a likely date for Armageddon. The WTS seems to have done little to suppress that expectation. That year also passed uneventfully. Some of the membership, without official WTS sanction, interpreted Psalms 90:10 as defining the length of a generation to be 80 years. Since 1914 plus 80 equals 1994, they predicted Armageddon would occur around that year. That prophecy, like so many by other faith groups, also failed. Some Jehovah's Witnesses now believe that the end will happen exactly 6000 years after the creation of Eve. No date for that event can be determined, because the time duration between the creation of the world and the creation of Eve is not known. Until recently, the WTS taught that Armageddon will start soon, before the last of generation of Jehovah's Witnesses born around the time of Christ's enthronement in 1914 died off. This concept of the generation of 1914 has recently been abandoned, as described in the 1995-NOV-1 issue of Watchtower. This change effectively removes precise dates from the WTS prophetic predictions. They still anticipate an end in the near future. But as a matter of policy, they are not estimating when it will happen. |
Copyright Concerns:
Early 1997:
The Watchtower Society in Norway, on behalf of The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, filed a filed police charges against ex-Jehovah's Witnesses Kent Steinhaug and Jan Haugland of Norway. The defendants are alleged to have posted copies on the Internet of a confidential "Elder's Manual" called "Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock" The document was originally written in 1977, and most recently updated and copyrighted in 1991. It is normally loaned only to elders in good standing. If an elder loses his position in the organization, he is required to return the book. As of 1997-JUN-30, the text of the manual is available at:
The police later dropped the charges.
Mid 1998:
In 1998-JUL, the WTS took action against A Common Bond, an international support group for ex-Jehovah's Witnesses who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered. They have a web site, provided by GeoCities. A Witness attorney complained to GeoCities that the web site violated its copyright by showing a photograph taken from the WTS publication, The Watchtower. The picture showed a number of same-sex couples embracing. The most logical response would have been for GeoCities to have simply deleted the picture file from the WTS directory. Instead, they shut down the web site almost immediately. It was restored 4 days later without the photograph. Webmaster Jim Moon commented: "Gays and lesbians who have been kicked out of the JWs are in a special need for all the emotional and spiritual support they can get. If JWs don't conform completely to the sect's doctrines and practices, including a strict prohibition against merely being gay, they are disfellowshipped,' which is a severe punishment. It amounts to total ostracism."
The WTS' official policy towards gays and lesbians is to allow them to continue as members, if they remain sexually inactive. This means that they remain celibate. Further, because of Jesus' statement that to lust after another person is to commit adultery with them in your heart, then a gay or lesbian must attempt to suppress their desire, longing, feelings of attractiveness, love, sexual fantasies etc. towards others. Homosexual Witnesses are expected to refrain from both sexual activity and sexual thoughts. Although celibacy can be chosen, it is quite impossible to totally control and eliminate one's feelings. The Witness' policy places an immense emotional load on its gay and lesbian membership who try to live up to the group's expectations.
As in all large organizations, official policies must be administered by junior officials. Some consider even celibate gays and lesbians as unsuitable for membership.
Associated essay:
The Jehovah's Witness are under economic attack by the government of France.