History

The Zion Watch Tower Bible And Tract Society was originally founded by Charles Taze Russell in 1870, when he formed a Bible study group after having tried out several different aspects of Christianity.  The intense study that the group undertook caused them to reject standard Christian teachings about deity, and immortality of the soul.

After several leadership and name-changes, in 1931, the group became known as the Jehovah's Witnesses.  The name is derived from "Jehovah", an English translation of the name for God in the Hebrew Scriptures and "witnesses" which is taken from a Biblical passage.

There are thought to be up to ten million Jehovah's Witnesses throughout the world, and the religion has particularly flourished in Europe and Russia, despite persecution in the first half of the 20th Century as a result of their refusal to serve in the military or recognise national flags.  They are thought to have been persecuted in Nazi Germany as well as in the Allied Nations.

Refgular worship takes place is a Kingdom Hall, and is led by Elders or Overseers. There are several levels of administration which lead up to the Governing Body in New York.

The Jehovah's Witness movement has tirelessly camapigned for religious freedom, and their efforts have led to reformation in many countries that has benefited not only themselves, but other faiths.

An associated group, the Watch Tower Society, publishes two semi-monthly magazines for public distribution in 129 languages.

Beliefs

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the Bible is infallible, and represents the Word of God.

They do not believe in the Holy Trinity.  God (Jehovah) is an entirely seperate being to Christ, who is the son of Jehovah.  The Holy Spirit is not a seperate entity but a form of energy.

They reject the symbol of the cross as being of pagan origin.

Jehovah's Witnesses consider the world and its governments to be under the control of Satan and consequently they will not undertake public service, accept armed service, or salute a flag. However, they are taught to be free of xenophobia or racism.

They believe that Jesus returned in 1914 and that the First World War was a symbol of Satan being expelled from Heaven to Earth.  Consequently, they also believe that Har-Magedon (Armageddon) is imminent.

The church advises its members not to accept blood transfusions as they consider it to be tantamount to consuming blood, which is prohibited in the Bible.  Other medical procedures which were once prohibited - such as vaccinations, bone marrow transplants and organ transplants - are now left to the individual conscience of the church member.  They consider all days as equally holy.

Jehovah's Witnesses are strongly opposed to homosexuality in practice and has strict rules for members regarding both physical and emotional celibacy. They are also opposed to divorce, pre-marital sex and abortion.

The church believes that only its followers will ultimately survive Armageddon, and that the followers of other religions will be destroyed.  However, they deny the existence of the Christian Hell,  and believe rather than unbelievers simply cease to exist after death, whereas believers die, and are then offered a new body by God.

They have one holy day - the Memorial of Christ's Death - in late spring.

Links

The official Jehovah's Witness website can be found at http://www.watchtower.org

Locally

The local Jehovah's Witnesses can be contacted via Darwil House, Bradley Hall Road, Nelson. Telephone: 01282 602270