) Origins/Roots of the belief system: Originated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
b) History of the religion: Modern day Jehovah Witnesses were founded in the late 19th century. A small group of Bible students began analyzing the Bible and comparing it to doctrines taught by the churches. Then, they began publishing books, newsletters, and journals, which is now called The Watchtower – Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. A man named Charles Taze Russell, took the lead in Bible education work and was the first editor of The Watchtower, yet he was not the founder. His goal was to promote the teachings of Jesus and to follow the practices of the first-century Christians. Since Jesus is the founder of Christianity, Jehovah Witnesses …show more content…
f) Holidays/Celebrations/Significant days: Jehovah Witnesses are usually recognized for their non-celebration of holidays. Holidays, including birthdays, are considered "pagan holidays" and are not be celebrated. The only holiday that is celebrated is the “Memorial of Christ’s Death,” (March 23,2016) as Jesus commanded Christians to celebrate his death, rather than his birth.
g) Worship/Religious practices:
- Baptism: this is done at a “responsible age” to those who have chosen to join the religion. It is done by immerging one into the water completely and it is seen as a devotion to God. Following baptism, it is expected to attend Kingdom Hall meetings and evangelism regularly. (Evangelism: the spreading of the Christian gospel by public preaching, Kingdom Hall meetings are held weekly and are intended to worship and learn about …show more content…
This may be done in the public, marketplace, or door to door. Evangelism: Central to the religious life. Witnesses who are employed, full-time are called “kingdom worshipers”, they are expected to spend as much time as possible preaching each month. Part-time employers are called “Pioneer employers”, which must devote 100 hours each month to preaching. “Special publishers” are salaried full-time employers of the Watchtower Society who are expected to preach 150 hours per month. Each Kingdom Hall has a designated neighborhood, therefore, hours spent, number of visits, bible studies and tracts are reported to the headquarters in Brooklyn.
- Kingdom Hall Services: May be held in a building, auditorium, gym, constructed building for the sole purpose of Kingdom Hall. They should include chairs, a stand for the speaker, library, area providing religious literature. No crosses are inside or outside of Kingdom Halls. Services typically have less than 200 members, and Witnesses attend those nearest to their home.
- Religious Services: Meetings occur 3 times per week, once on Sunday and twice during the week. Sunday is a public meeting, 45-minute Bible lecture, Watchtower Study, one-hour discussion on the recent article of the Watchtower magazine. Services begin and end with a prayer and some singing.
- Assemblies: includes religious lectures, interviews, prayer, skits, and
b) History of the religion: Modern day Jehovah Witnesses were founded in the late 19th century. A small group of Bible students began analyzing the Bible and comparing it to doctrines taught by the churches. Then, they began publishing books, newsletters, and journals, which is now called The Watchtower – Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. A man named Charles Taze Russell, took the lead in Bible education work and was the first editor of The Watchtower, yet he was not the founder. His goal was to promote the teachings of Jesus and to follow the practices of the first-century Christians. Since Jesus is the founder of Christianity, Jehovah Witnesses …show more content…
f) Holidays/Celebrations/Significant days: Jehovah Witnesses are usually recognized for their non-celebration of holidays. Holidays, including birthdays, are considered "pagan holidays" and are not be celebrated. The only holiday that is celebrated is the “Memorial of Christ’s Death,” (March 23,2016) as Jesus commanded Christians to celebrate his death, rather than his birth.
g) Worship/Religious practices:
- Baptism: this is done at a “responsible age” to those who have chosen to join the religion. It is done by immerging one into the water completely and it is seen as a devotion to God. Following baptism, it is expected to attend Kingdom Hall meetings and evangelism regularly. (Evangelism: the spreading of the Christian gospel by public preaching, Kingdom Hall meetings are held weekly and are intended to worship and learn about …show more content…
This may be done in the public, marketplace, or door to door. Evangelism: Central to the religious life. Witnesses who are employed, full-time are called “kingdom worshipers”, they are expected to spend as much time as possible preaching each month. Part-time employers are called “Pioneer employers”, which must devote 100 hours each month to preaching. “Special publishers” are salaried full-time employers of the Watchtower Society who are expected to preach 150 hours per month. Each Kingdom Hall has a designated neighborhood, therefore, hours spent, number of visits, bible studies and tracts are reported to the headquarters in Brooklyn.
- Kingdom Hall Services: May be held in a building, auditorium, gym, constructed building for the sole purpose of Kingdom Hall. They should include chairs, a stand for the speaker, library, area providing religious literature. No crosses are inside or outside of Kingdom Halls. Services typically have less than 200 members, and Witnesses attend those nearest to their home.
- Religious Services: Meetings occur 3 times per week, once on Sunday and twice during the week. Sunday is a public meeting, 45-minute Bible lecture, Watchtower Study, one-hour discussion on the recent article of the Watchtower magazine. Services begin and end with a prayer and some singing.
- Assemblies: includes religious lectures, interviews, prayer, skits, and