Being one of Jehovah's Witnesses and having other family members who are not can create strained relationships. When holidays come around (e.g. Christmas, Easter, Birthdays), some Witnesses may feel attendance or participation in holiday parties or gatherings violates their conscience, whether or not other, non-Witness family members choose to attend. It is because of this that many non-Witness family members of Jehovah's Witnesses feel they are being shunned or that their Witness family members are 'not allowed' to be around them at all. Th ...

See also:

Jehovah's Witnesses, Jehovah's Witnesses - Origins, Jehovah's Witnesses - Membership, Jehovah's Witnesses - Organizational structure, Jehovah's Witnesses - Beliefs and doctrines, Jehovah's Witnesses - The question of blood, Jehovah's Witnesses - Practices, Jehovah's Witnesses - Jehovah's Witnesses and governments, Jehovah's Witnesses - Opposition to Jehovah's Witnesses, Jehovah's Witnesses - Jehovah's Witnesses and eschatology, Jehovah's Witnesses - Early eschatology, Jehovah's Witnesses - 1975, Jehovah's Witnesses - Recent changes, Jehovah's Witnesses - Jehovah's Witnesses and their families, Jehovah's Witnesses - Notes

Read more here: » Jehovah's Witnesses: Encyclopedia II - Jehovah's Witnesses - Jehovah's Witnesses and their families

See also:

Jehovah's Witnesses, Jehovah's Witnesses - Origins, Jehovah's Witnesses - Membership, Jehovah's Witnesses - Organizational structure, Jehovah's Witnesses - Beliefs and doctrines, Jehovah's Witnesses - The question of blood, Jehovah's Witnesses - Practices, Jehovah's Witnesses - Jehovah's Witnesses and governments, Jehovah's Witnesses - Opposition to Jehovah's Witnesses, Jehovah's Witnesses - Jehovah's Witnesses and eschatology, Jehovah's Witnesses - Early eschatology, Jehovah's Witnesses - 1975, Jehovah's Witnesses - Recent changes, Jehovah's Witnesses - Jehovah's Witnesses and their families, Jehovah's Witnesses - Notes

Read more here: » Jehovah's Witnesses: Encyclopedia II - Jehovah's Witnesses - Jehovah's Witnesses and eschatology

Throughout their history, their beliefs, doctrines and practices have met controversy and opposition from governments, communities, and religious groups. Many Christian denominations consider the interpretation and doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses to be heresy. In addition, governments of various political persuasions have considered the religion to be a subversive organization, and sometimes even a threat to national security. Political and religious animosi ...

See also:

Jehovah's Witnesses, Jehovah's Witnesses - Origins, Jehovah's Witnesses - Membership, Jehovah's Witnesses - Organizational structure, Jehovah's Witnesses - Beliefs and doctrines, Jehovah's Witnesses - The question of blood, Jehovah's Witnesses - Practices, Jehovah's Witnesses - Jehovah's Witnesses and governments, Jehovah's Witnesses - Opposition to Jehovah's Witnesses, Jehovah's Witnesses - Jehovah's Witnesses and eschatology, Jehovah's Witnesses - Early eschatology, Jehovah's Witnesses - 1975, Jehovah's Witnesses - Recent changes, Jehovah's Witnesses - Jehovah's Witnesses and their families, Jehovah's Witnesses - Notes

Read more here: » Jehovah's Witnesses: Encyclopedia II - Jehovah's Witnesses - Opposition to Jehovah's Witnesses

Armageddon in the Jehovah's Witness religion is also anticipated, as the final battle between the forces of good and the forces of evil. The battle is a situation where the kings of the Earth unite against God's appointed king, Jesus. Thus, Revelation says it is the war of the great day of Jehovah Almighty. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that unlike what others teach, the antichrist will not be in it. Satan himself will move the kingdoms of the world to wage war on God's chosen people. But then, the "King of Kings and Lord of Lords" because of ...

See also:

Armageddon, Armageddon - Jehovah's Witnesses, Armageddon - Rastafari movement, Armageddon - Seventh-day Adventist

Read more here: » Armageddon: Encyclopedia II - Armageddon - Jehovah's Witnesses

Jehovah's Witnesses teach that apostolic succession is an erroneous doctrine. They base this teaching on the accounts of the replacement of Judas Iscariot and the death of the apostle James. In Acts Chapter 1, Peter says: "Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus, because he had been numbered among us and he obtained a share in this ministry... For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his lodging place become desolate, and let there be no dweller in it,’ and, ‘H ...

See also:

Apostolic Succession, Apostolic Succession - Mainstream Christianity, Apostolic Succession - Apostolicity as episcopal continuity, Apostolic Succession - Apostolicity as doctrinal continuity, Apostolic Succession - Latter-day Saints Mormons, Apostolic Succession - Jehovah's Witnesses

Read more here: » Apostolic Succession: Encyclopedia II - Apostolic Succession - Jehovah's Witnesses

Among Jehovah's Witnesses, an elder is an "older man" appointed to teach the congregation, according to Witness interpretation of Bible requirements. It is rare that an elder would be a man under thirty years of age. An elder works within a group known as a "body of elders", each assigned to specific congregational tasks entailing oversight of the congregation. Each congregation has a chairman, or presiding overseer, typically the most mature elder. Elders are not clergy in the common sense of the t ...

See also:

Elder religious, Elder religious - Methodism, Elder religious - Mormonism, Elder religious - Congregationalism, Elder religious - Jehovah's Witnesses, Elder religious - Presbyterian Church USA, Elder religious - Governmental responsibilities, Elder religious - Gifts and requirements, Elder religious - Specific responsibilities, Elder religious - Restoration Movement, Elder religious - Shakerism, Elder religious - Brethren, Elder religious - Open Brethren, Elder religious - Exclusive Brethren

Read more here: » Elder religious: Encyclopedia II - Elder religious - Jehovah's Witnesses

See the related article Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses for additional details. Jehovah's Witnesses claim reliance on the Bible for their theology, and the scriptures noted below are commonly used by Witnesses and their organization as the basis for their claims of a biblical foundation for their doctrines. Many beliefs and practices are similar to mainstream Christian denominations, yet there are significant differences as well. Beliefs and practices that can be said to be distinctive of Jehovah's Witnesses include< ...

See also:

Jehovah's Witnesses, Jehovah's Witnesses - Origins, Jehovah's Witnesses - Membership, Jehovah's Witnesses - Organizational structure, Jehovah's Witnesses - Beliefs and doctrines, Jehovah's Witnesses - The question of blood, Jehovah's Witnesses - Practices, Jehovah's Witnesses - Jehovah's Witnesses and governments, Jehovah's Witnesses - Opposition to Jehovah's Witnesses, Jehovah's Witnesses - Jehovah's Witnesses and eschatology, Jehovah's Witnesses - Early eschatology, Jehovah's Witnesses - 1975, Jehovah's Witnesses - Recent changes, Jehovah's Witnesses - Jehovah's Witnesses and their families, Jehovah's Witnesses - Notes

Read more here: » Jehovah's Witnesses: Encyclopedia II - Jehovah's Witnesses - Beliefs and doctrines

Jehovah's Witnesses claim reliance on the Bible for their theology and that it forms the basis for their beliefs. Many beliefs and practices are similar to mainstream Christian denominations, yet there are significant differences as well. Jehovah's Witnesses - Distinctive to Jehovah's Witnesses. Prominent use of the biblical name of God as translated into native languages, for example: Jehovah in English, Geova in Italian, Yawe in Ateso, Yekoba in Dinka, Iehova in Gaelic etc. ^{See also:}

Jehovah's Witnesses, Jehovah's Witnesses - History, Jehovah's Witnesses - Membership, Jehovah's Witnesses - Organizational structure, Jehovah's Witnesses - Beliefs and doctrines, Jehovah's Witnesses - Distinctive to Jehovah's Witnesses, Jehovah's Witnesses - Shared by most Christians, Jehovah's Witnesses - Shared by many Christians, Jehovah's Witnesses - Shared by most conservative Christians, Jehovah's Witnesses - Shared by some other Christians, Jehovah's Witnesses - Shared by mainstream Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses - Blood, Jehovah's Witnesses - Practices, Jehovah's Witnesses - Worship, Jehovah's Witnesses - Morality, Jehovah's Witnesses - Construction and Humanitarian Efforts, Jehovah's Witnesses - Disfellowshipping excommunication, Jehovah's Witnesses - Jehovah's Witnesses and governments, Jehovah's Witnesses - Opposition to Jehovah's Witnesses, Jehovah's Witnesses - Eschatology, Jehovah's Witnesses - Early eschatology, Jehovah's Witnesses - 1975, Jehovah's Witnesses - Recent changes

Read more here: » Jehovah's Witnesses: Encyclopedia II - Jehovah's Witnesses - Beliefs and doctrines

Jehovah (also sometimes spelled Yehovah) is the name of the God of the Old Testament as commonly transliterated in English from the Masoretic Hebrew text. Etymologically, it is a third person singular, imperfect, probably the causative form of the verb hawah (or hayah), signifying "to be." The word Jehovah consists of the consonants JHVH or JHWH (more accurately YHWH or YHVH), with the vowels of a separate word, Adonai (Lord). What its original vowels were is a matter of speculation, as an interpretation of such texts as Exodus ...

Including:

• Jehovah - Jehovah is an 18th century English translation of יְהֹוָה [Hebrew word #3068]
• Jehovah - Encyclopedia Britannica of 1910-1911’s Case against Jehovah
• Jehovah - Qeri-Perpetuum [a.k.a.Qere Perpetuum]
• Jehovah - KJVO Christians defend the vowel points of יְהֹוָה and the name Jehovah
• Jehovah - Jehovah's Witnesses and the English rendering of the name Jehovah
• Jehovah - יְהֹוָה is found only 44 times in the Leningrad Codex of 1008-1010 A.D.
• Jehovah - Latin Translations of יְהֹוָה from 1278 A.D. to 1518 A.D.
• Jehovah - English Translations of יְהֹוָה from 1530 A.D. to 1890 A.D.
• Jehovah - Translations of YHWH found in writings of the Greek Fathers
• Jehovah - Articles that defend the Name Jehovah
• Jehovah - Articles that critique the Name Jehovah
• Jehovah - Footnotes
• Jehovah - Technical note

Read more here: » Jehovah: Encyclopedia - Jehovah

Legal instruments of Jehovah's Witnesses, Organizational Structure of Jehovah's Witnesses Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania - Past Legal Names. Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society (1884-1896) Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society (1896-1955) Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania (since 1955) Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania - Presidents. Name (born ...

Including:

• Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania - Personnel as of September 1 2005
• Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania - Past Legal Names
• Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania - Presidents

Read more here: » Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania: Encyclopedia - Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania

The Bible Student movement is a religious movement that sprang from the teachings and ministry of Pastor Charles Taze Russell, whose followers generally call themselves "Bible Students"). Following a schism after Russell’s death, several offshoot groups formed, some of which have today moved away from the doctrines of Pastor Russell. The most prominent group of the movement today is the Jehovah's Witnesses, although there are still thousands of Bible Students worldwide. Bible Student movement - Early History. Including:

• Bible Student movement - Early History
• Bible Student movement - The Jehovah's Witnesses
• Bible Student movement - The New Covenant Bible Students
• Bible Student movement - The Associated Bible Students
• Bible Student movement - The Layman's Home Missionary Movement
• Bible Student movement - Other groups

Read more here: » Bible Student movement: Encyclopedia - Bible Student movement

The Standard American Edition, Revised Version, more commonly known as the American Standard Version (ASV), is a version of the Bible that was released in 1901. American Standard Version - History of the ASV. The ASV is rooted in the work that was done with the Revised Version. In 1870, an invitation was extended to American religious leaders for scholars to work on the Revised Version (RV) project. A year later, 30 scholars were chosen by Philip Schaff. These scholars began work in 1872. ...

Including:

• American Standard Version - History of the ASV
• American Standard Version - Reasons for and Features of the ASV
• American Standard Version - Revisions of the ASV
• American Standard Version - Usage of the ASV By the Jehovah's Witnesses
• American Standard Version - Availability

Read more here: » American Standard Version: Encyclopedia - American Standard Version

Excommunication is a religious censure which is used to deprive or suspend membership in a religious community. The word literally means "out of communion," or, "once was in communion, but now is not". (Sections in alphabetical order.) ( Excommunications(List) ) Excommunication - Christianity. Excommunication - Anathema. The biblical form of excommunication is to declare one anathema. The difference between an anathema and excommunication is that generally excommunication ...

Including:

• Excommunication - Christianity
• Excommunication - Anathema
• Excommunication - Calvin's view on excommunication
• Excommunication - Roman Catholic Church
• Excommunication - Amish and Mennonite
• Excommunication - Eastern Orthodox Communion
• Excommunication - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Excommunication - Jehovah's Witnesses
• Excommunication - Islam
• Excommunication - Judaism

Read more here: » Excommunication: Encyclopedia - Excommunication

Shunning is the act of deliberately avoiding association with an individual or group. The historical punishments of ostracism and exile were forms of shunning. Today, shunning in an official, formalized manner is practiced by only a few religions, although it continues to be practiced informally in every sort of human grouping or gathering. Religious shunning is often applied to those who have been excommunicated (also v ...

Including:

• Shunning - Shunning in Christian denominations
• Shunning - Catholic Church
• Shunning - Anabaptists Amish and Mennonites
• Shunning - Jehovah's Witnesses
• Shunning - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Mormons
• Shunning - Shunning in Judaism
• Shunning - Shunning in the Bahá'í Faith
• Shunning - See Also
• Shunning - Books

Read more here: » Shunning: Encyclopedia - Shunning

In Christianity, the doctrine of Apostolic Succession (or the belief that the Church is 'apostolic') maintains that the Christian Church today is the spiritual successor of the Church of the Apostles. Different Christian denominations interpret this doctrine in different ways. While in many churches it is seen as the basis for episcopacy in general, the case of St.Peter's apostolic succession as head of the church is also the basis for the specific claim of universal primate, notably in the Catholic papacy (where it implies supreme au ...

Including:

• Apostolic Succession - Mainstream Christianity
• Apostolic Succession - Apostolicity as episcopal continuity
• Apostolic Succession - Apostolicity as doctrinal continuity
• Apostolic Succession - Latter-day Saints Mormons
• Apostolic Succession - Jehovah's Witnesses

Read more here: » Apostolic Succession: Encyclopedia - Apostolic Succession

Armageddon refers, generally, to end times or Earth ending catastrophes in various religions and cultures. "Armageddon" also refers to any great loss of life in battle, etc. or massive use of nuclear weapons. The word armageddon is derived from Mount (Har in Hebrew) Megiddo, the site of the Battle of Megiddo and other battles. Interestingly, the only mention in the Bible was in Revelation 16:16: "And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon" (KJV). This bible prophecy reference ...

Including:

• Armageddon - Jehovah's Witnesses
• Armageddon - Rastafari movement
• Armageddon - Seventh-day Adventist

Read more here: » Armageddon: Encyclopedia - Armageddon

Like many conservative Christian denominations, Witnesses believe that there is only one true religion - that taught by Jesus Christ in the Bible, namely true Christianity (Ephesians 4:4-6). However, Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the doctrine propagated by the Watchtower Society is the only true restoration of that first-century Christianity. They believe that the existence of absolute truth precludes the possibility that different religions, confessing a multitude of conflicting doctrines, are equally acceptable. Because they deem it ina ...

See also:

Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - The Bible, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Beliefs about God, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - The Name of God, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - The Nature of God non-Trinitarian, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Beliefs About Jesus Christ, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Problem of Evil, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Baptism, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Salvation, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Neutrality, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Creation and the Flood, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Religious Symbols, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Eschatology: the Condition of the Dead and Judgment Day, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Moral Standards, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Blood, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Development of Doctrine, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Progressive Development of Witness Teachings - A Timeline, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Significance of Doctrinal Changes, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Importance of Doctrine, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Jehovah's Witnesses and other religions, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Reference & Research Materials

Read more here: » Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses: Encyclopedia II - Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Jehovah's Witnesses and other religions

There are two inconsistencies in the current policy that groups such as “Associated Jehovah's Witnesses for Reform on Blood” are attempting to have addressed. Accepting a blood component does not adhere to the principle that blood be poured out. Furthermore, if blood fractions are accepted then Jehovah’s Witnesses should also be allowed to donate blood. If a person has previously been disfellowshipped for accepting a blood fraction that is now permissible they are not automatically reinstated, as the disfellowshipping is considered to be a result of showing disrespect for the ...

See also:

Jehovah's Witnesses and blood, Jehovah's Witnesses and blood - Doctrine on blood, Jehovah's Witnesses and blood - Development of the doctrine and policy on blood, Jehovah's Witnesses and blood - Current policy on blood, Jehovah's Witnesses and blood - Medical procedures, Jehovah's Witnesses and blood - Use of blood products, Jehovah's Witnesses and blood - Controversy, Jehovah's Witnesses and blood - Hospital Liason Committees

Read more here: » Jehovah's Witnesses and blood: Encyclopedia II - Jehovah's Witnesses and blood - Controversy

Jehovah's Witnesses

Official name of the religion that accepts the authority of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society

(See also: Jehovah's Witnesses, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Based on their understanding of the Bible admonition to "keep abstaining from blood" (Acts 15:28, 29), Jehovah's Witnesses refrain from accepting any blood transfusion or whole blood products. The command to abstain from blood was the results of the apostles of the Jerusalem congregation considering a question of controversy and handing down a decision led by Holy Spirit. It is therefore considered binding for all Christians. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the successor to that body is the Governing Body who heads the Jehovah's Witness rel ...

See also:

Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - The Bible, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Beliefs about God, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - The Name of God, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - The Nature of God non-Trinitarian, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Beliefs About Jesus Christ, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Problem of Evil, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Baptism, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Salvation, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Neutrality, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Creation and the Flood, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Religious Symbols, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Eschatology: the Condition of the Dead and Judgment Day, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Moral Standards, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Blood, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Development of Doctrine, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Progressive Development of Witness Teachings - A Timeline, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Significance of Doctrinal Changes, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Importance of Doctrine, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Jehovah's Witnesses and other religions, Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Reference & Research Materials

Read more here: » Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses: Encyclopedia II - Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses - Blood