Wednesday, December 24, 2003
From a Bible study group to 6 million members
12/23/2003
While a teenager, Charles Taze Russell (1852 to 1916) gathered friends for intensive Bible study in the Pittsburgh area using his wealth from the family dry goods business to found a movement that took on the name Jehovah's Witnesses in 1931.
The name points to members' belief that they do not worship God in general but Jehovah, the one true God, creator of all things.
In 2002, the organization reported 1 million members in the United States and more than 6 million worldwide. Millions more study the Bible with members.
Beliefs and practices:
Witnesses use the Bible as their only guide. A Christian should have no part in interfaith movements.
All Witnesses are educated for ministry. There is no clergy class.
Religious symbols are not used in worship. Adults and children take part in the same question-and-answer worship.
Witnesses do not believe in blood transfusions, citing Scripture, such as Acts 15:20, that warn Christians to abstain from blood. They rely on doctors and medical technology and do not believe in faith healing.
In promoting their right to evangelize and practice their faith, members have taken more than 40 cases to the Supreme Court and have won most of them.
from Delaware Online
12/23/2003
While a teenager, Charles Taze Russell (1852 to 1916) gathered friends for intensive Bible study in the Pittsburgh area using his wealth from the family dry goods business to found a movement that took on the name Jehovah's Witnesses in 1931.
The name points to members' belief that they do not worship God in general but Jehovah, the one true God, creator of all things.
In 2002, the organization reported 1 million members in the United States and more than 6 million worldwide. Millions more study the Bible with members.
Beliefs and practices:
Witnesses use the Bible as their only guide. A Christian should have no part in interfaith movements.
All Witnesses are educated for ministry. There is no clergy class.
Religious symbols are not used in worship. Adults and children take part in the same question-and-answer worship.
Witnesses do not believe in blood transfusions, citing Scripture, such as Acts 15:20, that warn Christians to abstain from blood. They rely on doctors and medical technology and do not believe in faith healing.
In promoting their right to evangelize and practice their faith, members have taken more than 40 cases to the Supreme Court and have won most of them.
from Delaware Online
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