Jehovah's Witnesses is an international religious organization founded in the second half of the 19th century. According to the estimates of this organization, in 2009 the number of its members worldwide reached more than 7 million people.
Jehovah's Witnesses: The History of the Appearance
The "witnesses" have their origins in the Bible Students movement organized by Charles Russell in 1870 in the United States of America. Thereafter, Charles and his followers formed the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. Russell stood at its head.
After his death, Joseph Rutherford became the president of the "Tower", who disbanded the board of directors and chose a theocratic government instead of a democratic one. As a result, the "society" began to split, many separated from Joseph, remaining true to the old principles.
In 1931, Rutterford chose another name for the organization - Jehovah's Witnesses, which still exists today. Such a name is due to the name of God - Jehovah, and the members of this society call the person preaching their views as a witness. Now this religious movement can be found in 239 countries around the world.
Who are you, Jehovah's Witnesses?
The debate about whether to attribute the "witnesses" to a sect or to a religion continues to this day. Many opponents of the organization call it a terrible sect. That is why it is banned in dozens of countries around the world.
Thus, the modern researcher of religious sectarianism Alexander Dvorkin, in one of his articles, calls the “witnesses” pseudo-Christians and a totalitarian sect. He compares their structure to the Communist Party and draws attention to the controversy surrounding the paid clergy. One pro-Jehovah's source says that the clergy do not receive material support from Jehovah's Witnesses, and another says that missionaries are supported by the organization's funds.
Also, among the members of this religious society, it is noted: the rejection of the cross as a symbol of faith, the ban on blood transfusions, and the evasion of the army. Meanwhile, the “witnesses” explain their position in detail on their official website. The members of this organization motivate the denial of the cross by the fact that, according to the Bible, Jesus died on an ordinary pillar, and not on the cross. They avoid blood transfusions, but they still use medical help and do not believe in faith healing. Refusal to perform military service is motivated by unwillingness to shed blood.
Some Russian religious scholars speak positively of Jehovah's Witnesses. For example, Doctor of Philosophy Sergey Ivanenko notes a large amount of biased information about this organization and urges to treat them the same way as ordinary citizens. A scientist who has studied religion in detail, believes that no serious public threat comes from its members. In his opinion, they are normal people, good workers and parents.
