witnesses witnesses christian beliefs distinct mainstream christianity group claims worldwide membership million adherents involved convention attendance figures million annual memorial attendance million witnesses directed witnesses group elders brooklyn new_york establishes doctrines based interpretations bible prefer use translation literature occasionally quotes cites translations believe destruction present world system armageddon imminent establishment god kingdom earth solution problems faced humanity group emerged bible student movement founded late 1870s formation significant organizational changes leadership witnesses adopted distinguish bible student groups symbolize break legacy russell traditions witnesses best known door door preaching distributing literature awake refusing military service blood consider use vital proper worship reject inherent soul consider doctrines observe christmas easter holidays customs consider pagan origins incompatible christianity adherents commonly refer body beliefs truth consider truth consider secular society morally corrupt influence limit social interaction non witnesses disciplinary actions include term formal expulsion baptized individuals formally leave considered individuals eventually reinstated deemed religion position objection military service refusal salute national flags brought conflict governments consequently witnesses persecuted activities banned restricted countries persistent legal challenges witnesses influenced legislation related civil rights countries organization attracted criticism issues surrounding biblical translation doctrines handling sexual abuse cases alleged members claims rejected religion leaders disputed courts religious scholars history background formed group pittsburgh pennsylvania study bible course ministry russell disputed beliefs mainstream christianity including soul return jesus christ trinity burning world russell met later year jointly produced book worlds combined views end time prophecy book taught god dealings humanity divided ending harvest christ returned invisible spirit harvest gospel age mark end year period called times time world society replaced establishment god kingdom earth beginning russell jointly edited religious journal herald morning june split differences july russell began publishing magazine herald christ presence stating purpose demonstrate world days new age human reign christ imminent supporters gathered autonomous congregations study bible thirty congregations founded russell visited provide format recommended conducting meetings congregations continued form russell ministry remained self administrative functioning style church governance watch tower tract society presided incorporated society non profit business distribute tracts russell organized thousands time appointing foreign missionaries establishing branch offices 1910s russell organization maintained nearly pilgrims traveling russell engaged significant global publishing efforts ministry distributed christian author united_states russell moved headquarters brooklyn new_york combining printing corporate offices house worship volunteers housed nearby residence named identified religious movement bible students formally people worldwide associated movement congregations elected annually pastor russell died october age returning ministerial speaking tour reorganization january legal representative elected president election disputed members accused acting secretive manner divisions supporters opponents triggered major turnover members decade june released finished mystery seventh volume scriptures series book published posthumous work russell compilation commentaries bible books plus numerous additions bible students strongly criticized catholic protestant clergy christian involvement great war result society directors jailed espionage act members subjected mob violence directors released march charges dropped centralized organizational control instituted appointment director congregation year later members instructed report weekly preaching activity brooklyn headquarters international convention held cedar point ohio september new emphasis house house preaching significant changes doctrine administration regularly introduced years president including announcement jewish resurrected marking beginning christ thousand year kingdom disappointed changes tens thousands occurred half tenure leading formation bible student organizations independent exist seven bible students ceased association society thirds end 1920s july convention columbus ohio introduced new witnesses based witnesses servant chosen adopted resolution chosen distinguish group bible students independent groups severed ties society symbolize new promotion fresh methods eliminated system locally elected elders introduced called literally god ruled organizational system appointments congregations worldwide brooklyn headquarters taught little flock people survive armageddon explained addition resurrected transferred death live heaven rule earth christ separate class members great multitude live paradise restored earth new converts movement considered class mid-1930s timing beginning christ presence greek king start days moved interpretations bible developed witness publications decreed national flags form led new outbreak mob violence government opposition united_states canada germany countries worldwide membership witnesses reached congregations time death january continued development present appointed president commissioned new translation bible version released organized large international assemblies instituted new training programs members expanded missionary activity branch offices world presidency marked increasing use explicit instructions guiding witnesses lifestyle conduct greater use judicial procedures enforce strict moral code witness publications convention talks built anticipation possibility christ thousand year reign begin late shortly number increased significantly number active members exceeded million membership declined late 1970s expectations proved wrong watch tower society literature state definitely mark end admitted responsibility building hope year offices elder ministerial servant restored witness congregations appointments headquarters later branch committees announced starting september appointments traveling major organizational overhaul power president diminished authority organizational decisions passed governing body death position president occupied members member governing body witnesses abandoned idea armageddon occur lives generation alive changed teaching generation organization witnesses organized leadership calls organization reflecting belief god visible organization earth organization led governing body male group varies size early comprised seven members class hope heavenly life based brooklyn headquarters election membership new members selected existing body late governing body described representative spokesman god faithful slave class approximately self professed witnesses annual meeting faithful slave defined referring governing body governing body directs committees responsible administrative functions including publishing assembly programs activities branch committee members traveling recommended local branches traveling supervising circuits congregations jurisdictions traveling appoint local elders ministerial servants branch offices appoint regional committees matters kingdom hall construction disaster relief congregation body appointed unpaid male elders ministerial servants elders maintain general responsibility governance setting meeting times selecting speakers conducting meetings directing public preaching work creating judicial committees investigate decide disciplinary action cases involving sexual misconduct new elders appointed traveling recommendation existing body elders ministerial servants appointed similar manner elders fulfill clerical attendant duties teach conduct meetings witnesses use elder title formal clergy division elders employ ecclesiastical privilege confession sins baptism requirement considered member witnesses witnesses practice infant baptism previous performed denominations considered valid individuals undergoing baptism publicly dedication baptism identify witnesses association god spirit directed organization witness publications baptism personal dedication god man work organization literature emphasizes need members loyal organization stating individuals remain receive god favor survive armageddon publishing organization publishes significant literature activities produced million copies bible languages awake widely distributed magazines world translation witness publications volunteers worldwide producing literature languages funding funding provided donations primarily members collection newsday listed new_york richest corporations revenues exceeding million organization reported year spent million dollars caring special pioneers missionaries traveling field service assignments beliefs jesus christ witnesses emphasize use representation god based believe true god creator things universal sovereign believe worship directed trinity consequently religion places emphasis god christ believe holy spirit god applied power active force person witnesses believe jesus god direct creation created means christ initial act creation uniquely identifies jesus god son jesus served ransom sacrifice pay sins humanity believe jesus died single upright post traditional cross believe references bible word refer jesus jesus considered high priest god humanity appointed god king judge kingdom role referred applied class sheep said benefit arrangement witnesses believe originally perfect angel developed feelings self importance worship influenced adam eve god humanity subsequently participants challenge involving competing claims universal sovereignty angels sided demons witnesses teach demons cast earth heaven october point end times began witnesses believe ruler current world order human society influenced demons cause human suffering believe human governments controlled directly control human ruler life death witnesses believe death state non existence consciousness hell fiery understood refer condition death termed common grave witnesses consider soul life living body die witnesses believe humanity state release possible means jesus shed blood ransom sins witnesses believe little flock heaven hope life death majority sheep involves resurrected god earth armageddon interpret revelation mean number christians going heaven limited exactly rule jesus kings priests earth believe baptism witnesses vital salvation meet requirements surviving armageddon god final judge christ reign people died prior armageddon resurrected prospect living forever taught proper way worship god prepare final test end millennium god kingdom witnesses believe god kingdom literal government heaven ruled jesus christ spirit christians drawn earth associate jesus reference new kingdom viewed means god accomplish original purpose earth transforming paradise sickness death said focal point jesus ministry earth believe kingdom established heaven witnesses serve representatives kingdom earth central teaching witnesses current world era system things entered days faces imminent destruction intervention god jesus christ leading worship god consider present day religions false identifying great revelation believe soon destroyed united_nations believe represented scripture scarlet colored wild beast revelation chapter development mark beginning great subsequently attack witnesses action prompt god begin war armageddon forms government people counted christ sheep true followers destroyed armageddon god extend heavenly kingdom include earth transformed paradise similar garden died god intervention gradually resurrected judgment day lasting thousand years judgment based actions resurrection past deeds end thousand years christ hand authority god final test place released perfect mankind fail destroyed demons end result fully tested human race witnesses believe jesus christ began rule heaven king god kingdom october subsequently ousted heaven earth resulting humanity believe jesus rules heaven perceived series signs base belief rendering greek word usually translated coming referring christ presence believe jesus presence includes unknown period beginning inauguration king heaven ending comes bring final judgment humans earth depart mainstream christian belief second coming refers single moment arrival earth judge humans practices worship meetings worship study held typically functional character contain religious symbols witnesses assigned congregation territory usually reside attend weekly services refer meetings scheduled congregation elders meetings largely devoted study literature bible format meetings established religion headquarters subject matter meetings worldwide congregations meet sessions week comprising distinct meetings total half hours typically gathering mid week meetings weekend meetings prior congregations met times week meetings condensed intention members evening family worship gatherings opened closed kingdom songs hymns brief prayers twice year witnesses number congregations form circuit gather day assembly larger groups congregations meet year day regional convention usually rented important event commemoration lord evening meal memorial christ death date jewish witnesses best known efforts spread beliefs notably visiting people house house distributing literature published languages objective start regular bible study person member intention student baptized member group witnesses advised consider bible studies students interest members witnesses taught biblical command engage public preaching instructed devote time possible ministry required submit individual monthly baptized members fail report month preaching termed irregular elders submit reports consecutive months termed inactive ethics morality sexual relations outside marriage grounds expulsion individual deemed homosexual activity considered sin sex marriages forbidden abortion considered murder suicide considered self murder sin god dress frequently emphasized gambling illegal drugs tobacco use forbidden drinking alcoholic permitted family structure husband considered authority family decisions encouraged wife thoughts feelings children marriages required legally registered marrying non believer endorsing union strongly discouraged carries religious sanctions divorce discouraged forbidden divorce obtained grounds adultery refer divorce divorce obtained reason considered prior died considered committed sexual extreme physical abuse non support family religion terms absolute spirituality considered grounds legal separation disciplinary action formal discipline administered congregation elders baptized member accused committing sin usually cases sexual misconduct charges witness doctrines judicial committee formed determine guilt provide help possibly administer discipline form strongest form discipline administered deemed contact individuals limited direct family members living home congregation elders invite persons apply formal business dealings continue financially obliged witnesses taught avoiding social spiritual interaction individuals keeps congregation free immoral influence losing precious fellowship loved ones help individual come senses seriousness wrong steps return practice serve deter members behavior members formally resign described literature wicked expelled individuals eventually reinstated congregation deemed elders congregation enforced lesser form discipline given formally judicial committee baptized witness considered sin person temporarily loses conspicuous privileges service suffers restriction social spiritual fellowship marking social spiritual fellowship practiced baptized member course action regarded violation bible principles sin witnesses believe bible mixing religions basis truth god reject movements believe religion represents true christianity religions fail meet requirements set god soon destroyed witnesses taught vital remain separate world witnesses literature defines world mass mankind apart approved servants teach morally contaminated ruled witnesses taught association people presents danger faith instructed minimize social contact non members better maintain standards morality witnesses believe highest allegiance belongs god kingdom viewed actual government heaven christ king remain politically neutral seek public office discouraged voting individual members participate community improvement issues politics respect authority governments live celebrate religious holidays christmas easter observe holidays celebrations consider honor people jesus feel customs pagan origins reflect political spirit position traditional holidays reflect control world witnesses told spontaneous giving times help children feel deprived celebrations work industries associated military serve armed services refuse national military service countries result arrest imprisonment salute pledge allegiance flags sing national anthems patriotic songs witnesses worldwide brotherhood national boundaries ethnic suggested religion intellectual organizational isolation coupled intense adherents rigid internal discipline considerable persecution contributed consistency sense urgency apocalyptic message rejection blood witnesses refuse blood consider violation god law based interpretation acts scriptures willing acceptance blood member grounds expulsion religion members directed refuse blood life death situation witnesses accept non blood alternatives medical procedures lieu blood literature provides information non blood medical procedures witnesses accept blood blood accept blood discretion provides pre power attorney documents prohibiting major blood components members specify treatments personally accept witnesses established cooperative arrangement individual witnesses medical professionals hospitals demographics witnesses active presence countries form large population country august witnesses report average million publishers term use members actively involved preaching congregations reports indicated billion hours spent preaching bible study activity mid-1990s number peak publishers increased million million year conducted bible studies million individuals including conducted witness parents children witnesses estimate current worldwide growth rate year official published membership statistics mentioned include submit reports personal ministry official statistics include inactive individuals attend meetings result half self identified witnesses independent demographic studies considered active faith forum religion public life survey found low retention rate members religion people raised religion continued identify witnesses analysis study witnesses classified religion organizational structure characterized leadership specific narrow objectives control competing demands members time energy control quality new members characteristics classification include likelihood friction secular authorities reluctance operate religious organizations high rate membership turnover low rate change strict beliefs members identified religion chief characteristics identifying historical events relating god purpose conviction witness leaders absolute truth activism capacity members perform missionary tasks conviction witness doctrines rational basis devoid mystery rigid presentation regulations opportunity criticism world indifference rejection certain secular requirements medical treatments consideration religions including witnesses noted religions exists state tension wider society tests merit members exercises stern discipline regulating declared beliefs life habits members operating sanctions including possibility expulsion demands sustained total commitment members exclusion interests comparative study found witnesses united_states ranked highest statistics getting high school graduation belief god importance religion life frequency religious attendance frequency prayers frequency bible reading outside religious services belief prayers answered belief religion interpreted way belief theirs true faith leading eternal life opposition abortion opposition homosexuality study witnesses ranked lowest statistics having earned graduate degree interest politics opposition controversy surrounding beliefs doctrines practices witnesses led opposition local governments communities religious groups religious commentator wrote viewed globally persecution persistent intensity inaccurate regard witnesses persecuted group christians twentieth century persecution political religious animosity witnesses times led mob action government oppression countries doctrine political neutrality refusal serve military led imprisonment members refused conscription world war times national service compulsory approximately witnesses germany later imprisoned sent nazi concentration camps identified purple died including executed canada witnesses interned camps political people chinese japanese descent soviet_union witnesses deported siberia april religious activities currently banned restricted countries including china vietnam islamic states authors including witnesses claimed arrests mob violence united_states 1930s 1940s consequence appeared deliberate course authorities religions witnesses harrison suggested invited cultivated opposition publicity purposes bid attract members society convince members persecution outside world evidence truth struggle serve god watch tower society literature period directed witnesses seek controversy resist arrest advised members operate police officers courts ordered stop preaching prefer jail pay fines legal challenges cases involving witnesses heard world cases generally relate right practice religion displays patriotism military service blood united_states persistent legal challenges prompted series state federal court reinforced judicial civil liberties rights strengthened witness court victories united_states protection religious conduct federal state interference right patriotic rituals military service right patients refuse medical treatment right engage public discourse similar cases favor heard canada criticism controversy witnesses attracted criticism issues surrounding bible translation doctrines handling sexual abuse cases alleged members claims denied witnesses disputed religious scholars free speech thought doctrines witnesses established governing body religion tolerate dissent doctrines practices members openly disagree religion teachings expelled witness publications strongly discourage followers questioning doctrine counsel received governing body reasoning trusted god organization warns members avoid independent thinking claiming thinking introduced devil cause division openly disagree official teachings condemned mentally members heather compare cultural religion nineteen eighty describes religion leadership critics charge individual decision making religion leaders system obedience witnesses responsibility rights personal lives critics accuse religion leaders exercising intellectual dominance witnesses controlling information creating mental isolation member argued elements mind control witness publications state consensus faith aids unity deny unity imagination historian rejected description religion states witness leaders democratic members expected conform strict standards adds enforcement tends informal sustained close bonds friendship group witnesses power structure subject states members join movements witnesses informed choice states seldom allowed exit describes administration bible scholars including professor bible editor said translation certain texts biased favor witness practices doctrines bible editor criticized pre release edition volume genesis published shining example bible translated hand study widely use english speaking world bible scholar professor religious studies wrote new world translation emerges accurate translations compared general public bible scholars assume differences result religious bias stated differences greater accuracy literal conservative translation original expressions writers added violate accuracy favor preferred expressions god failed predictions publications claimed god witnesses declare provided advance knowledge armageddon establishment god kingdom publications claimed god witnesses modern day prophet witnesses publications predictions world events believe bible failed predictions led alteration abandonment doctrines failed predictions presented doubt approved god rejects accusations false prophet stating teachings inspired claimed predictions words suggested exception statements changing views dates witnesses largely changed biblical chronology failed predictions states simplistic view witnesses group continues set single end date fails new counter states foundation movement years ago witnesses maintained living end time handling sexual abuse cases witnesses accused having policies culture help conceal cases sexual abuse organization religion criticized witness rule church discipline based application scriptures matthew requires sexual abuse secondary evidence accused person denies wrongdoing cases lacking instruction elders leave matter hands member church headquarters staff says policy effectively requires witness act anderson says policies protect protect children witnesses maintain strong policy protect children adding best way protect children parents state sponsor activities separate children parents religion failure report abuse allegations authorities criticized policy elders inform authorities required law leave action victim family found alleged perpetrators child sexual abuse identified witnesses organization reported church secular authorities witness elder established organization assist sex abuse victims religion claimed witness leaders discourage followers reporting incidents sexual misconduct authorities critics claim organization reluctant alert authorities order protect crime free reputation court cases united_kingdom united_states found failure protect children known sex offenders congregation society settled child abuse lawsuits court reportedly paying admitting wrongdoing
Jehovah's Witnesses