JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES

•There are over 6 million Jehovah’s Witnesses in the world today.•Jehovah’s Witnesses claim to follow the literal teachings of the Bible.•Jehovah is a biblical term used in the Bible to refer to God.

Basic BeliefsJehovah’s Witness’s use the Knowledge Book which is their interpretation of Bible teachings.

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that at the time of Armageddon (the last days on Earth), only the Jehovah’s Witnesses will be redeemed. All others will cease to exist. They do not believe in Hell.

Jehovah’s Witnesses abstain from all politics and war. They do not vote, run for office, or join the military.

Jehovah’s Witnesses can be “disfellowshiped” and will not experience redemption unless they are re-excepted by the elders.

Beliefs On Holidays

Jehovah’s Witnesses do not celebrate any holidays including Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays, etc.

- They believe all holidays have pagan roots. - They believe like Jehovah, they should not follow beliefs and traditions that are “of the earth”.

*Jehovah’s Witnesses are permitted to celebrate their wedding anniversaries.

Holidays

Jehovah's Witnesses and The Pledge of Allegiance

The Bible prohibits having false idols before God. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe pledging to the flag would is pledging to a false idol.

They believe all human governments are instituted by Satan and pledging to them would be a sin.

West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette (1943)

- The Supreme Court ruled that J.W.s were protected from saying the pledge under the First Amendment.

Websites on Jehovah’s Witnesses

Official Site for Jehovah's Witnesses: http://www.watchtower.org Religious Beliefs: http://www.religioustolerance.org/witness3.htm http://www.religionfacts.com/jehovahs_witnesses/beliefs.htm Jehovah's Witnesses and Holidays: www.religionfacts.com/jehovahs_witnesses/holidays.htm http://www.freeminds.org/doctrine/holidays.htm Jehovah's Witnesses and The Pledge of Allegiance: http://atheism.about.com/library/FAQs/cs/blcs_jw_flag1.htm