Jehovah's Witnesses have five meetings per week, which are made up of five program parts (totaling approximately five hours). Meetings are held in local Kingdom Halls and private homes. Larger conventions are held usually three times a year in facilities owned or maintained by the Watchtower Society or rented, such as stadiums or auditoriums. Throughout the week, there are also meetings for "field service" (preaching work) where members meet either in homes, or the Kingdom Hall, to organize and pray prior to engaging in door-to-door or other ...

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 - Practices

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 - Practices

Although in general respecting the law of the land, Jehovah's Witnesses do not salute flags, sing national anthems, or pledge allegiance to any state or nation. This is not intended as disrespect for any particular nation or for governments; Witnesses recognize the legitimacy of political leaders, believing that they are the 'superior authorities' referred to by the Apostle Paul in Romans 13:1, and are therefore to be respected. Indeed, in many places, the Witnesses have been commended for their law-abiding stance. They make a distinction, h ...

See also:

Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Funding, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Evangelism, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Kingdom Halls and Assembly Halls, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Meetings, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - The Theocratic Ministry School, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - The Service Meeting, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - The Public Talk, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - The Watchtower Study, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - The Book Study, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Memorial of Christ's Death, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - External links, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Neutrality, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Saluting flags, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Military service, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Political activity, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Association, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Disfellowshipping excommunication, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Shunning, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Reinstatement after disfellowshipping, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Legal opinion of the practice, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Medicine and health, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Overview of blood-based treatments, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Blood transfusions, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Bloodless surgery, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Other medical treatments with blood-derived components, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Vaccinations, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Organ transplants, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Alternative Medicine and related health practices, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Disaster relief, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Literacy programs, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Notes and references

Read more here: » Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses: Encyclopedia II - Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Neutrality

The Witnesses' teachings in general promote a healthy lifestyle. Magazine articles in the Awake! oftentimes discuss ways of maintaining both mental and physical health. In general, they encourage standard medical practices such as regular checkups, reliance on modern medical techniques to treat illnesses, etc. except when they consider certain techniques to violate Bible principles. They believe that smoking and recreational drug use is incompatible with Christian principles. (2 Corinthians 7:1) Mostly due to the legality, the addicti ...

See also:

Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Funding, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Evangelism, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Kingdom Halls and Assembly Halls, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Meetings, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - The Theocratic Ministry School, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - The Service Meeting, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - The Public Talk, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - The Watchtower Study, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - The Book Study, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Memorial of Christ's Death, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - External links, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Neutrality, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Saluting flags, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Military service, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Political activity, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Association, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Disfellowshipping excommunication, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Shunning, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Reinstatement after disfellowshipping, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Legal opinion of the practice, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Medicine and health, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Overview of blood-based treatments, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Blood transfusions, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Bloodless surgery, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Other medical treatments with blood-derived components, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Vaccinations, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Organ transplants, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Alternative Medicine and related health practices, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Disaster relief, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Literacy programs, Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Notes and references

Read more here: » Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses: Encyclopedia II - Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - Medicine and health

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 the late 20th century, and especially at the turn of the 21st, the Catholic Church in several countries was confronted with a series of allegations concerning sexual abuse of children under the legal age of consent ¹ by Catholic clergy and religious. The controversy was at its most famous when it hit the United States in the late 1990s and early 2000s. However, several countries, including Canada, had already faced similar controversies with high-profile cases such as the Mount Cashel Orphanage scandal in the province of ...

Including:

• Roman Catholic Church sex abuse scandal - Threefold allegations
• Roman Catholic Church sex abuse scandal - Abuse in the community
• Roman Catholic Church sex abuse scandal - Abuse in institutions
• Roman Catholic Church sex abuse scandal - Flawed policies
• Roman Catholic Church sex abuse scandal - Abusers moved from location to location
• Roman Catholic Church sex abuse scandal - Failure to report criminal acts to police
• Roman Catholic Church sex abuse scandal - Allegations of systematic plots to conceal evidence
• Roman Catholic Church sex abuse scandal - Payments to victims
• Roman Catholic Church sex abuse scandal - Implications of the scandal
• Roman Catholic Church sex abuse scandal - Celibacy and the scandal
• Roman Catholic Church sex abuse scandal - Seminary training
• Roman Catholic Church sex abuse scandal - Other Catholic teachings practices
• Roman Catholic Church sex abuse scandal - Episcopal resignations
• Roman Catholic Church sex abuse scandal - Bankruptcy
• Roman Catholic Church sex abuse scandal - Ferns Inquiry 2005
• Roman Catholic Church sex abuse scandal - Forth-coming Dublin Inquiry and Irish Parliamentary comment
• Roman Catholic Church sex abuse scandal - Footnotes
• Roman Catholic Church sex abuse scandal - Additional reading

Read more here: » Roman Catholic Church sex abuse scandal: Encyclopedia - Roman Catholic Church sex abuse scandal

Baptism is any water purification ritual practiced in any of various religions including Christianity, Mandaeanism, and Sikhism, and has its origins with the Jewish ritual of mikvah. The word baptize derives from the Greek word βάπτειν (the infinitive; also listed as the 1st person singular present active indicative βαπτίζω), which loosely means "to dip, bathe, or wash". To some groups it is a matter of religious conviction to assert that baptism is precisely equivalent to, to plunge something entirely into th ...

Including:

• Baptism - Background in Jewish ritual
• Baptism - Explanation
• Baptism - Ecumenical statement
• Baptism - Roman Catholic Eastern Orthodox Lutheran Anglican and Methodist baptism
• Baptism - Baptism and salvation
• Baptism - Conditions of the validity of a baptism
• Baptism - Baptism by other denominations
• Baptism - Who may administer a baptism
• Baptism - Baptist and other Protestant baptism
• Baptism - Reformed and Covenant Theology view
• Baptism - Latter Day Saint baptism
• Baptism - Baptism in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Baptism - Jehovah's Witnesses
• Baptism - Baptism in Churches of Christ
• Baptism - Other baptisms
• Baptism - Non-christian religions
• Baptism - Non-religious baptism
• Baptism - Related articles and subjects
• Baptism - People and ritual objects
• Baptism - Resources

Read more here: » Baptism: Encyclopedia - Baptism

The Associated Bible Students is the branch of the Bible Student movement that follows the most closely the teachings and views of Charles Taze Russell, also known as "Pastor Russell". The Bible Students practice regular reading and study of the Bible and hold Bible Study classes utilizing the six volumes of "Studies in the Scriptures", written by Pastor Russell. Associated Bible Students - History. In the late ninteenth century, the Bible Students formed congregations, referred to as "Ecclesia's", from the ...

Including:

• Associated Bible Students - History
• Associated Bible Students - Beliefs

Read more here: » Associated Bible Students: Encyclopedia - Associated Bible Students

The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (NWT) is a modern-language translation of the Bible published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc. and the International Bible Students Association of Brooklyn, New York (corporations in use by the religious organization commonly known as Jehovah's Witnesses). It was not the first, nor the last translation to be published by them, but it was thei ...

Including:

• New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures - History
• New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures - Why a New Translation Was Commissioned
• New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures - Characteristics of the Translation
• New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures - The New World Translation in Other Languages
• New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures - The Kingdom Interlinear Translation

Read more here: » New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures: Encyclopedia - New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures

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's Witnesses are currently led by a small, ecclesiastical Governing Body. Jehovah's Witnesses believe the role of the Governing Body corresponds to that of those who met in the Council of Jerusalem, guided by Holy Spirit and directed by Jesus. The description of the Council of Jerusalem in the Acts of the Apostles is often used as an example of how God had a "visible organization" in the fir ...

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 - Organizational structure

Jehovah's Witnesses do not have the clergy-laity distinctions common among many other religious denominations. Rather they believe that according to the Bible, all of Jehovah's worshipers are ministers. Nevertheless, as a practical matter there are overseers appointed to take the lead in the ministry and the teaching in the local congregations, and to fulfill certain directorial roles. This appointment creates a distinction between the overseers and the overseen that is equivalent to a clergy-laity distinction in all but name. See also:

Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses, Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses - Publishers, Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses - Baptized Publishers, Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses - Unbaptized Publishers, Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses - Other Publishers, Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses - Congregations, Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses - Meetings in the Congregation, Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses - The Congregation Book Study, Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses - Circuits Districts Zones and Their Overseers, Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses - Circuits, Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses - Districts, Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses - Zones, Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses - Servants, Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses - The Elders, Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses - The Ministerial Servants, Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses - Appointments of Elders and Ministerial Servants, Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses - Positions of Responsibility, Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses - Branch Offices, Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses - The Presidents, Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses - The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses - Legal Instruments, Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses - Notes references and sources

Read more here: » Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses: Encyclopedia II - Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses - Servants

As of August 2005, Jehovah's Witnesses have a practicing membership of more than 6.6 million, according to data reported in the Annual Worldwide Statistics at the Authorized Site of the Office of Public Information of Jehovah's Witnesses. The site states: "While other religious groups count their membership by occasional or annual attendance, this figure reflects only those who are actively involved in the public Bible educational work." Jehovah's Witnesses have a custom of counting their membership by 'Lands' rather than by countries, indicating separate statistics for regions administered by ot ...

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 - Membership

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

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

Main article: Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses Jehovah's Witnesses are currently led by a small, ecclesiastical Governing Body. The Governing Body (indirectly through the departments of its various legal organizations) directs the operation of the 111 branches spread throughout the world (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society 2005). Each branch has appointed overseers who travel among various local congregations, spending a week with each and giving spiritual ...

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 - Organizational structure

Since their formation in the 1870s, leaders of the organization have sought to identify dates for end-time events such as the enthronement of Jesus as King, the return of Jesus Christ, and for the "end of this system of things," culminating in Armageddon. The Witness publication Jehovah's Witnesses--Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, gives an overview of some of the historical development of the Witnesses' eschatology. However, no detailed study by Witness historians has been published. Most information on Jehovah's Witnesses' eschatology ...

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

Jehovah's Witnesses exhort their members to obey all the laws, including the paying of taxes, of the country in which they reside, so long as these do not violate 'God's law'. This is in keeping with their interpretation of Romans 13:7: Render to all their dues, to him who calls for the tax, the tax; to him who calls for the tribute, the tribute; to him who calls for fear, such fear; to him who calls for honor, such honor. At the same time, however, they hold a stance of political neutrality. ...

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 governments

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that some time after the death of the last apostle, the Church gradually diverged, in a "Great Apostasy", from the original teachings of Jesus in several major points. Influenced by Restorationism, they believe their faith is a continually improving, imperfect restoration of First Century Christianity. An example in The Watchtower states: "It was the 1900-year-old 'faithful and discreet slave,' [parable--Matthew 24:45] the old Christian congregation, that was entrusted with this precious Kingdom service ... ...

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 - Origins