Founder:
Charles Taze Russell (1852 – 1916) and later, Joseph F. Rutherford (1869 – 1942). This religion began in 1879 in the state of Pennsylvania. It’s headquarters, as of this writing, are located in New York.
Writings:
The writing”s consist of several publications. All of the “Watchtower” publications as well as the Bible (New World Translation only). “Reasoning from the Scriptures”, “What Does the Bible Really Teach?” and “Awake” magazine.
God:
There is only one god and his name is Jehovah.
Jesus:
Jesus is the first thing Jehovah created and is not God. Before He lived on Earth, Jesus was the archangel, Michael. Jehovah made the universe through Jesus/Michael. While on Earth, Jesus lived a perfect life and was crucified on a stake (not a cross). Jesus was then resurrected as a spirit and the body was destroyed. The second coming of Jesus will not happen, but he came back as a spirit in 1914. Very soon, he and the angels will destroy all of the non-Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Holy Spirit:
Impersonal “holy spirit” is not God, but an invisible action force from god.
Salvation:
Be baptized as Jehovah’s Witnesses. Most followers must earn their salvation by doing “door-to-door” work. Salvation in Heaven is limited to 144,000 “anointed ones”. This number has already been reached.
Death:
The 144,000 live in Heaven as spirits, while the rest of the righteous “the great crowd” live on Earth. The great crowd must obey god perfectly for 1000 years or be destroyed.
Beliefs/Other:
The “International Bible Students Association” meet in “Kingdom Halls” instead of churches. Students are encouraged to go door-to-door to distribute literature. Once a year, the “anointed ones” partake in the “Lord’s Evening Meal (communion)” Forbidden things include:
- Celebrate birthdays or holidays
- Saluting the flag
- Serving in the military
- Accepting blood transfusions
- Voting
