The term is not explicitly defined in Watch Tower literature, but is commonly explained as the application of reason and study as well as the undefined guidance of the Holy Spirit. Ministerial servants – appointed in a fashion similar to that of the elders – fulfill clerical and attendant duties, but may also teach and conduct meetings.ĭoctrinal positions are obtained by what Witness publications describe as 'progressive revelation'. New elders are chosen by the Watch Tower Society after recommendation by the existing body of elders. Elders maintain general responsibility for congregational governance, setting meeting times, choosing speakers and conducting meetings, directing the public preaching work, and creating 'judicial committees' to investigate and determine disciplinary action for cases that are seen as breaching scriptural or organizational laws. Each congregation has a body of selected male elders and ministerial servants. Jehovah's Witnesses have no formal clergy-laity division. It directly appoints all branch committee members and District and Circuit Overseers, with traveling supervisors overseeing groups of congregations within their jurisdictions. The Governing Body directs multiple committees that are responsible for various administrative functions, including publishing, assembly programs and evangelizing activity. In practice it seeks neither advice nor approval from any 'anointed' Witnesses other than high-ranking members at Brooklyn Bethel when formulating policy and doctrines or when creating material for publications and conventions. The Governing Body is described as the 'spokesman' for God's 'Faithful and Discreet Slave class' (the approximately 10,000 remaining 'anointed' Jehovah's Witnesses), and is said to supply 'spiritual food' for Witnesses worldwide on behalf of the 'Faithful and Discreet Slave'. There is no election for governing membership, with new members appointed by the existing body. The organization is headed by the Governing Body – an all-male group that varies in numbers, but since 2007 has comprised nine members, all of whom profess to be of the 'anointed' class with a hope of heavenly life – based in the Watch Tower Society's Brooklyn, New York headquarters. Jehovah's Witnesses are organized under a hierarchical layout, which their leadership calls a 'theocratic government', reflecting their belief that it is God's organization on earth. Studies of the religion have described it as authoritarian, claiming it demands unquestioning obedience from followers, with the consequence of expulsion and shunning facing those who oppose its doctrines. Their belief system greatly diverges from traditional Christian theology, which has caused several major Christian denominations to denounce the group as either a cult or sect. The Watchtower later stated that it 'regretted' the expectations that had been raised concerning 1975 by 'persons having to do with the publication of the information'. In the years leading up to 1914, 19, the Society's publications expressed strong expectations of Armageddon occurring in those years, resulting in surges in membership and following defections. Since its inception, the Watch Tower Society has taught that humanity is enduring the last days of the present world order.

They endeavor to remain unattached from secular society, which is regarded as a place of moral contamination and under the control of Satan the Devil, and limit their social contact with non-Witnesses. Jehovah's Witnesses have had a major impact on US constitutional law concerning civil liberties and conscientious objection to military service.

The religion's stance of conscientious objection to military service has brought it to contend with governments that draft citizens for military service, and activities of Jehovah's Witnesses have been consequently banned in some nations. They are prominently known for their door-to-door preaching, and for their refusal of military service and blood transfusions even in life-threatening situations.

To learn more about their belief in the bible go to our Bible quiz page. The religion reports international membership of over 7 million adherents involved in preaching they report annual convention and memorial attendance between 12 and 18 million. It underwent significant structural alterations between 1917 and the 1940s, having its authority organization centralized and its preaching techniques brought under greater regimentation. This denomination emerged from the Bible Student movement, founded in 1872 by Charles Taze Russell, with the creation of the Watch Tower Society. They consider the Bible to be the ultimate authority for their teachings and practices. Jehovah's Witnesses is a restorationist, chiliastic Christian religion.

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