Jehovah's Witnesses are one of the most persecuted religious groups in the world and the most persecuted Christian organization in the 20th century. How the Witnesses shape their response to persecution is invariably associated with the social reality they construct in their rhetorical practices.
Statistics. The following statistics from Pew Research Center show that Christianity, Islam, and Judaism are persecuted in more countries around the world than other religions. As of 2018: Christians face harassment in 145 countries, Muslims face harassment in 159 countries, and Jews face harassment in 91 countries.
Jehovah's Witness members have been imprisoned in many countries for their refusal of conscription or compulsory military service. Their religious activities are banned or restricted in some countries, including Singapore, China, Vietnam, Russia and many Muslim-majority countries.
Although many of their eschatological teachings have changed over the years, Jehovah's Witnesses have consistently claimed to be the only true religion.
- The New York Times. What Impels Jehovah's Witnesses; Theirs is the world's fastest-growing religious organization. Here some converts discuss their reasons for joining.
Muslims believe that there is no falseness or contradictions in Islam because "falseness or contradiction in one matter of the religion proves the falsity of the religion as a whole, since we would then doubt the integrity of its texts."
Jehovah's Witnesses started in 1870 when Charles Taze Russell led Bible studies in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Jehovah's Witnesses movement came out of the Bible Student movement, also founded by Russell.
What Do Jehovah's Witnesses Believe? Witnesses believe in one God, not the Trinity. Like most Christians, they believe that Jesus Christ died for humankind's sins, and was resurrected after his crucifixion. One of the key elements of the Jehovah's Witness faith is their belief that the end of the world is coming soon.
Jehovah's Witnesses follow the model of "first-century" Christians, subscribing to Bible principles in the Old and New Test-aments that guide every aspect of their lives. They believe that God's kingdom is coming soon and will bring peace on earth. They don't vote or serve in the military.
God. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that: God the Father (whose name is Jehovah) is "the only true God". Jesus Christ is his firstborn son, is inferior to God, and was created by God.
Commonly banned groups
Jehovah's Witnesses were banned in eight countries spanning the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and the Middle East-North Africa region.
North Korea is an atheist state where public religion is discouraged. Based on estimates from the late 1990s and the 2000s, North Korea is mostly atheist and agnostic with the religious life dominated by the traditions of Korean shamanism and Chondoism.
Which current and ex-NBA players are Jehovah's Witnesses? According to Google, there are actually three current and ex-NBA players who are Jehovah's Witnesses — Dewayne Dedmon (currently of the Miami Heat) and former Indiana Pacers' teammates, Danny Granger and Darren Collison.
Persecution in North Korea
Christians in North Korea must practice their faith in secret. They can't meet together to worship or tell others about Jesus. If they are caught with a Bible, singing a hymn, or praying, they can face up to 15 years in a labor camp. Life in the camps is unbearable.
Jehovah's Witnesses and Baha'is were among the most frequently banned groups. The Middle East-North Africa region had the highest share of countries (55%, or 11 out of 20 countries in the region) with bans on religion-related groups in 2019.
Some religious groups, notably Jehovah's Witnesses and proponents of the King-James-Only movement, continue to use Jehovah as the only name of God.
The 144,000 chosen ones are known as The Anointed, although not every one of those people will be a Jehovah's Witness. Those Witnesses not chosen will live in paradise on Earth instead.
The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (NWT) is a translation of the Bible published by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society; it is used and distributed by Jehovah's Witnesses.
Daters are expected to remain "pure" until someone marriage. Kissing, hand holding jehovah other someone of affection should be kept to a minimum if allowed at all, especially if the couple is dating without the intention of tall married.
Based on their understanding of scriptures such as Revelation 14:1-4, Jehovah's Witnesses believe that exactly 144,000 faithful Christians go to heaven to rule with Christ in the kingdom of God. They, with Jesus, will perform priestly duties that will bring faithful mankind to perfect health and 'everlasting life'.
Jehovah's Witnesses identify as Christians, but their beliefs are different from other Christians in some ways. For instance, they teach that Jesus is the son of God but is not part of a Trinity.
Tennis champion Serena Williams was raised in the Jehovah's Witness faith and continues to practice many of her beliefs stemming from the religion today. The Jackson family was raised in the Jehovah's Witness faith, but several of the family members, including sister Janet, no longer practice the religion.
Introduction. Charles Taze Russell founded the Jehovah's Witnesses in 1872, although it did not become known officially as such until 1931.