The Christian Arsenal
Christianity, Cults & World Religions
Agnosticism, Atheism, Evolutionism, Humanism, Materialism, Secularism
Jehovah’s Witnesses
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Religion: Jehovah's Witnesses
Category: Cult
Founder/Leader:
The founders were Charles Taze Russell (1852-1916), and later Joseph F. Rutherford. This movement began in 1879 in Pennsylvania. The present day headquarters is in Brooklyn, New York.
Foundational Documents:
Watchtower and Awake! Magazines along with all current Watchtower publications, including the Bible (New World Translation only), Reasoning from the Scriptures, You Can Live Forever In Paradise On Earth.
God is...
The JW doctrinal system espouses a One-person God, called Jehovah. There is no Trinity. Jesus is the first and greatest thing Jehovah created.
Jesus is...
Jesus is not God. Before his life on earth, he was the archangel Michael. It is through him that Jehovah made the universe. On earth he was a man who lived a perfect life. After being put to death on a torture stake (not a cross), he was resurrected as a spirit. His body was destroyed. Jesus is not physically coming again. He has already "returned" invisibly in 1914 in spirit. Some day soon, he and the angels will destroy all non-Jehovah's Witnesses.
The Holy Spirit is...
In JW theology the Holy Spirit is not God or even a personage, but rather an invisible, active force from Jehovah.
Method of Salvation:
To be saved one must be baptized as a Jehovah's Witnesses. JW followers must earn everlasting life on earth by "door-to-door work." Salvation in heaven is limited to 144,000 "anointed ones." This number is already reached.
Death and Beyond...
The 144,000 live as spirits in heaven. The rest of the righteous, "the great crowd," live on earth, and must obey God perfectly for 1000 years or be annihilated.
Other Beliefs:
They are known as the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. JW's meet on Sundays in "Kingdom Halls." Active members are encouraged to distribute literature door-to-door. Once a year they observe the Lord's Evening Meal and only "anointed" ones may partake of this meal. JW's do not observe holidays or birthdays nor do they vote, salute the flag, work in the military, or accept blood transfusions. They believe that Armageddon will occur very soon.