World Religions Report
World Religions Report
HUM/130
Vickie Burns-Sikora
July 29, 2012
The religious organization we know today as Jehovah’s Witness was formed around the end of the 19th century by a group of Bible students in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. However, it was a little over sixty years before they adopted the name Jehovah’s Witness in order to separate themselves from other Christian denominations (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2006). Jehovah’s Witness is a Christian religion but differs from traditional Christianity because of their non-trinitarian beliefs. It is a monotheistic religion because they believe in and worship only one God. From their small numbers when founded, their following has constantly increased throughout the years and today they have a worldwide membership of around seven and a half million people. They teach followers to live a good moral life and to help others, no matter what the religious beliefs or racial and ethnical background of that person may be. They spread their message through their publication of the Bible journal The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, which is published in over 190 languages and is the world’s most widely circulated religious magazine. Jehovah’s Witnesses are probably best known for going door to door to spread their message and are seen by some people as an aggravation. They are very friendly to others and anyone can attend service to see if the religion would be a good fit for their personal lifestyle. Along with these characteristics, there are many other interesting aspects of the religion including its history, beliefs, and influence on today’s society. Zion’s Watch Tower Tract Society was founded in 1870 by Charles Taze Russell in the city of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2006). Russell’s ministry disputed many of the traditional Christian beliefs from the beginning including the Trinity, the existence of Hell, and the immortality of
HUM/130
Vickie Burns-Sikora
July 29, 2012
The religious organization we know today as Jehovah’s Witness was formed around the end of the 19th century by a group of Bible students in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. However, it was a little over sixty years before they adopted the name Jehovah’s Witness in order to separate themselves from other Christian denominations (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2006). Jehovah’s Witness is a Christian religion but differs from traditional Christianity because of their non-trinitarian beliefs. It is a monotheistic religion because they believe in and worship only one God. From their small numbers when founded, their following has constantly increased throughout the years and today they have a worldwide membership of around seven and a half million people. They teach followers to live a good moral life and to help others, no matter what the religious beliefs or racial and ethnical background of that person may be. They spread their message through their publication of the Bible journal The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom, which is published in over 190 languages and is the world’s most widely circulated religious magazine. Jehovah’s Witnesses are probably best known for going door to door to spread their message and are seen by some people as an aggravation. They are very friendly to others and anyone can attend service to see if the religion would be a good fit for their personal lifestyle. Along with these characteristics, there are many other interesting aspects of the religion including its history, beliefs, and influence on today’s society. Zion’s Watch Tower Tract Society was founded in 1870 by Charles Taze Russell in the city of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2006). Russell’s ministry disputed many of the traditional Christian beliefs from the beginning including the Trinity, the existence of Hell, and the immortality of
References: Jehovah’s Witness Official Media Website. (2009). Our ministry contributions to the community. Retrieved from http://www.jw media.org/aboutjw /article44.htm#relief The Pew Forum on Religious and Public Life. (2010). U.S. Religious landscape survey. Retrieved from http://religions.pewforum.org/portraits Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. (2006). Jehovah’s Witness-Who are they? Retrieved from http://www.watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm