CHRISTIANITY Welcome to our Christianity webpage, part of Dr. Gowler's Religion 100 class. Here you will find insightful writing about several aspects of Christianity. Please use the tabs below to navigate. This webpage was created by Adnan Rashid, Sharmin Shariff, Jacob Gise, and Niel Kuttappan. HOME           Jehovah’s Witnesses are an apocalyptic and significant offshoot of Christianity that place the literal meaning of the Bible at the center of belief and practice (Molloy, 402). “Jehovah” is the personal name that refers to the almighty God and Creator of the universe (Watchtower.org, Who Are They?). This denomination differs significantly from traditional Christianity. Jehovah’s Witnesses are not usually considered a part of the three traditional branches of Christianity (Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern Orthodox) because of their denial of essential Christian doctrines. Although many mainstream Christian churches do not accept the Witnesses fully, this offshoot embodies many Christian and non-Christian elements and is a growing denomination (Molloy, 397).           Jehovah’s Witnesses was started by Charles Taze Russell. He was born on February 16, 1852 and is the son of Joseph and Anna Russell. He started the organization in 1872 when he had difficulty agreeing with many doctrines of Christianity. Doctrines he did not agree with included those of eternal hell fire, eternal punishment, Trinity (God as three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), and the deity of Christ (World Book J-K, 70). In 1879 Russell began his quest to universalize his ideas on doctrines by co-publishing a magazine called The Herald of the Morning. By 1884, Russell founded what is today called the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. This society produces its own magazines called Watchtower and Awake!. These magazines are still in circulation today and are written in 66 different languages. Watchtower serves as a source of study for Jehovah’s Witnesses. Russell, who believed the Bible could only be understood by his interpretations, served as a teacher and guide for the organization and magazine (World Book J-K, 70-71).           When studying with Jehovah’s Witnesses or believing in the religion, one should do many things. A Jehovah’s Witness should attend five meetings a week in which Watchtower literature is taught and discussed (World Book J-K, 70-71). Although there is no requirement of members to attend, converts are urged to show up. These meetings are open to the public and collections are never taken (Watchtower.org, Ways They Use to Share the Good News). Many Christian Churches consider these book studies to be counter Christian teachings (CARM, History). Jehovah’s Witnesses spread their beliefs not just through The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society publications, but through house to house presentation as well. This house to house presentation is a very big part of this denomination. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe Jesus commanded Christians to spread good news of God’s kingdom. This good news was that Jesus is present and that all problems are going to be solved when the Kingdom of God arrives (BeliefNet.com, Jehovah’s Witness and Door-to-Door Evangelism). Jehovah’s Witnesses spread the good news by finding those who are distressed by present conditions and by making a positive effort to reach to the public. They share the good news with these distressed people. House to house sharing of the good news is a very popular method of sharing the good news among Jehovah’s Witnesses. A common misconception about Jehovah’s Witnesses is that they earn a reward for every time they convert someone. In reality, Jehovah’s Witnesses are simply fulfilling a responsibility they feel they have (BeliefNet.com, Jehovah’s Witness and Door-to-Door Evangelism). Today, Jehovah’s Witnesses spend over one billion hours a year spreading the good news. (Watchtower.org, Ways They Use to Share the Good News).           One of the fundamental teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses is the belief that Jesus returned invisibly to Earth in 1914 and is now reigning in heaven. The belief goes on to say that Jesus will return to earth at the Battle of Armageddon. At this time Jesus will create a thousand year kingdom. It is during this thousand year period that people will be brought back to life and have a second chance at receiving eternal salvation. Eternal salvation can be received by following the principles of Jehovah’s Organization on earth, The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. After the thousand year period is over, those who reject God and His organization will no longer be in existence. Those who faithfully follow the rules of The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society on earth will be saved from annihilation and live forever on Paradise Earth. According to this fundamental belief, Heaven is a special place reserved for only 144,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses. These 144,000 will be born again and live an immortal life with spirit bodies, not resurrected ones. Only these 144,000 may take communion. Those Jehovah’s Witnesses that live on Paradise earth live an everlasting life with resurrected bodies. These resurrected bodies must be maintained through eating, drinking, resting, and so forth (Watchtower.org, What Do They Believe?).           The Jehovah’s Witnesses have many other beliefs about Jesus which help separate them from other denominations. These beliefs about Jesus include that he was only a perfect man and not God in flesh, that he did not rise from the dead in his physical body, that he was born again, that Jesus died on a stake and not a cross, and that Jesus’ sacrifice did not include Adam’s sin (CARM, Teachings). Other beliefs and teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses include but are not limited to: there is only one God in one person and that there is no Trinity, the Holy Spirit is a force and is not alive, Jehovah’s Witnesses are the self-proclaimed prophet of God, Jehovah’s Witnesses are the only channel of God’s truth, only Jehovah’s Witnesses will be saved, the soul no longer exists after death, there is no hell fire in which the wicked are punished, only 144,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses go to heaven, salvation is by faith and what you do, it is possible to lose your salvation, the universe is billions of years old, each of the six creative days of God in Genesis 1 lasted 7000 years and man was created as the end of 42,000 years, and that baptism by complete immersion represents dedication (Watchtower.org, What Do They Believe?; World Book J-K, 70-71).           Jehovah’s Witnesses see many acts of many other Christians as taboo. Jehovah’s Witnesses view taking blood through the mouth or veins (blood transfusions) as a sin. Many Jehovah’s Witnesses carry a “No Blood” card in their wallet in case of unconsciousness due to accidents to let it be known their wishes. This belief led to tensions between Jehovah’s Witnesses and the medical community because of the difficulty in treating patients without blood transfusions (BeliefNet.com, Why do they refuse blood transfusions?). They also believe that the Cross is a pagan symbol and that it should not be used. Not only do they think the Cross should not be used, they believe images in general should not be used in worship. The Jehovah’s Witnesses refuse [and are not allowed] to vote, salute the flag, sing the “Star Spangled Banner,” and pledge allegiance to any country. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that voting or pledging allegiance is putting faith into man. They believed Jesus commanded Christians to stay away from politics (BeliefNet.com, Do they vote?). They are not allowed to serve in the armed forces or even support them. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not celebrate Christmas or birthdays. (Watchtower.org, What Do They Believe; CARM, Teachings) Although Jehovah’s Witnesses do not partake in common practices of other Christians and non-Christians, they are respectful of others and one another. During Christmas time if a Jehovah’s Witness is told, “Merry Christmas,” he will say in return, “Thank you,” but not say “Merry Christmas.” Children who miss out on birthdays and other events that involve presents are given presents at unexpected times during the year so they can still enjoy the unwrapping of gifts and surprises (BeliefNet.com, Do they celebrate holidays?).           This denomination of Christianity is a very controversial one to those who do not follow it. Many argue that it is not Christian at all. Those who argue that the Jehovah’s Witnesses are not Christian believe they take verses of the Bible out of their immediate context, they refuse to read and re-read verses in the entire biblical context, they insert theological positions into the text, they alter the biblical texts to suit needs, they use one verse to interpret the meaning of other verses, they change the meaning of words, and that they add to the word of God. In addition, some Christians believe Jehovah’s Witnesses are instantly non-Christian by the denial of essential doctrines such as the deity of Christ, his physical resurrection, Trinity, and salvation by grace (CARM, Is the Jehovah’s Witness religion Christian?). Jehovah’s Witnesses, however, consider themselves to be Christians because they believe they are serving God (World Book J-K, 70-71).           Jehovah’s Witnesses have come along way since Charles Taze Russell’s time. During Russell’s life, the magazines produced only six thousand copies a month. Today it produces hundreds of thousands a month. Russell’s death in 1916 was not the end of this society. Succeeding presidents, such as Joseph Rutherford and Nathan Knorr, have kept the Watchtower Society and organization running today (CARM, History). Today there are over six million Jehovah’s Witnesses who conduct activities in 230 countries. Today, the headquarters of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society (as well as its publishing complex) is located at 124 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, N.Y. (World Book J-K, 71). Works Cited: "Jehovah’s Witnesses." The New World Book Encyclopedia: Field Enterprises Educational Corp. 11th ed. 1968 Molloy, Michael. Experiencing the World's Religion. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2005. "Jehovah’s Witnesses." The New World Book Encyclopedia: World Book Inc. 11th ed. 1986 "Jehovah’s Witnesses--What Do They Believe?." Watchtower: Official Web Site of Jehovah’s Witnesses. 2007. 18 Nov. 2007 . "Jehovah’s Witnesses.” Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry. 2007. 18 Nov. 2007 . "What Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe?." BeliefNet. 2007. 18 Nov. 2007 .