Editing Jehovah's Witnesses (section)

==Beliefs==
{{Main|Jehovah's Witnesses beliefs}}
Jehovah's Witnesses believe their denomination is a restoration of [[Christianity in the 1st century|first-century Christianity]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Van Voorst, Robert E.|isbn=978-1-1117-2620-1|page=288|publisher=Cengage Learning|title=RELG: World|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QvNWxEEaf50C&pg=PT303|year=2012}}</ref> They believe that [[Nicene Christianity|mainstream Christianity]] departed from true worship over time, that groups such as [[Cathars]] attempted to restore some aspects of it, and that the [[Protestant Reformation]] "did not go far enough".{{sfn|Chryssides|2022|pages=57, 58}} Older books published by the Watch Tower Society such as those by Charles Russell and Joseph Rutherford are usually unfamiliar to a modern Jehovah's Witness, although some congregations have these publications in their libraries.{{sfn|Chryssides|2022|page=14}} Jehovah's Witnesses consider the Bible [[Criticism of the Bible#The Bible and science|scientifically]] and [[The Bible and history|historically]] accurate and reliable and interpret much of it [[Biblical literalism|literally]], but accept parts of it as [[Allegorical interpretation of the Bible|symbolic]].{{sfn|Chryssides|2022|pages=43, 44}} Jehovah's Witnesses are [[old Earth creationist]]s.{{sfn|Chryssides|2022|page=44}} The entire Protestant [[Biblical canon|canon of scripture]] is considered the [[Biblical inspiration|inspired]], [[Biblical inerrancy|inerrant]] word of God.{{sfn|Penton|1997|page=172}} Regular personal Bible reading is frequently recommended. Members are discouraged from formulating doctrines and "private ideas" reached through Bible research independent of Watch Tower Society publications and are cautioned against reading other religious literature.<ref name="Bevindependent">James A. Beverley, ''Crisis of Allegiance'', Welch Publishing Company, Burlington, Ontario, 1986, {{ISBN|0-920413-37-4}}, pages 25–26, 101.</ref> Adherents commonly call their body of beliefs "The Truth".<ref>{{cite journal|first=Richard|last=Singelenberg |doi=10.2307/3710916 |issue=Spring 1989|journal=Sociological Analysis|jstor=3710916|pages=23–40|title=It Separated the Wheat From the Chaff: The 1975 Prophecy and its Impact Among Dutch Jehovah's Witnesses |volume=50|year=1989}}</ref>

===Jehovah===
Jehovah's Witnesses emphasize the use of God's name, and they prefer the form ''[[Jehovah]]''&mdash;a vocalization of [[God in Christianity|God]]'s name based on the [[Tetragrammaton]].<ref>{{harvnb|Holden|2002|page=24}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|editor-first1=Hege Kristin|editor-first2=Helje Kringlebotn|editor-last1=Ringnes|editor-last2=Sødal|isbn=978-82-15-01453-1|language=no|location=Oslo|page=27|publisher=Universitetsforlaget|title=Jehovas vitner: en flerfaglig studie|year=2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|access-date=April 4, 2017|author=Holden, A.|page=Endnote [i]|publisher=Department of Sociology, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YL, UK|title=Cavorting With the Devil: Jehovah's Witnesses Who Abandon Their Faith|url=http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/fass/resources/sociology-online-papers/papers/holden-cavorting-with-the-devil.pdf|year=2002}}</ref> They believe that Jehovah is the only true god, the creator of all things, and the "Universal Sovereign". They believe that all worship should be directed toward him, and that he is not part of a [[Trinity]];{{sfn|Rogerson|1969|page=87}} consequently, the group places more emphasis on God than on Christ.<ref>{{harvnb|Beckford|1975|page=105}}</ref> They believe that the [[Holy Spirit in Christianity|Holy Spirit]] is God's applied power or "active force", rather than a person.{{sfn|Rogerson|1969|page=90}} Jehovah's Witnesses believe that they can have a personal relationship with God.{{sfn|Chryssides|2022|page=48}}

===Jesus===
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that [[Jesus in Christianity|Jesus]] is God's only direct creation, that everything else was created through him by means of God's power, and that the initial unassisted act of creation uniquely identifies Jesus as God's "only-begotten Son".{{sfn|Hoekema|1963|p=262}} As part of their nontrinitarian beliefs, they do not believe that Jesus is [[God the Son]].{{sfn|Chryssides|2016b|p=429}} They do believe that he was the first [[angel]],{{sfn|Chryssides|2022|page=50}} and is the only [[archangel]].{{sfn|Chryssides|2022|page=51}} Jehovah's Witnesses believe that [[Mary, mother of Jesus|Mary]] conceived Jesus as a virgin{{sfn|Chryssides|2022|page=43}} but do not believe that she [[Immaculate Conception|was born free from sin]] or that she remained a [[Perpetual virginity of Mary|virgin after his birth]].{{sfn|Chryssides|2019|page=224}} Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus served as a [[Redeemer (Christianity)|redeemer]] and a [[Ransom theory of atonement|ransom sacrifice]] to atone for [[original sin]].{{sfn|Hoekema|1963|pp=276–277}}{{sfn|Chryssides|2022|pages=52, 53}} They believe that he [[Crucifixion of Jesus|died]] on a [[Crux simplex|single upright post]] rather than a [[Latin cross|cross]],{{sfn|Penton|1997|page=372}} which they regard as a pagan symbol. Accordingly, they do not use the word "crucifixion" when referring to Jesus' death.{{sfn|Chryssides|2016b|p=429}} Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus was resurrected with a "spirit body", and that he assumed human form only temporarily after his resurrection.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last1=Ankerberg |first1=John |title=The Facts on Jehovah's Witnesses |last2=Weldon |first2=John |last3=Burroughs |first3=Dillion |date=2008 |publisher=Harvest House Publishing |isbn=9780736939072 |pages=53, 25, 32 |language=en}}</ref> Biblical references to the [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]], [[Abaddon]] (Apollyon), and [[Christ the Logos|the Word]] are interpreted as names for Jesus in various roles.{{sfn|Hoekema|1963|p=270}} Jesus is considered the only [[Intercession|intercessor]] and [[high priest]] between God and humanity, appointed by God as the king and judge of his kingdom.<ref name=":1" />

===Life after death===
{{Main|Jehovah's Witnesses and salvation}}
Jehovah's Witnesses believe death is a state of nonexistence with no [[consciousness]]. There is no [[Christian views on hell|Hell]] of fiery torment; [[Christian views on Hades|Hades]] and [[Sheol]] are understood to refer to the condition of death, termed the ''common grave''.<ref>{{harvnb|Hoekema|1963|pages=322–324}}</ref> They consider the [[Soul (spirit)|soul]] a life or a living body that can die.<ref name="hoeksin">{{harvnb|Hoekema|1963|pages=265–269}}</ref> They believe that humanity is in a [[Christian views of sin#Protestant views|sinful]] state,<ref name="hoeksin" /> from which release is possible only by means of Jesus' shed blood as a ransom, or [[substitutionary atonement|atonement]], for humankind's sins.{{sfn|Penton|1997|page=186}} Jehovah's Witnesses believe that a "little flock" of 144,000 selected humans go to heaven, but that God will resurrect the majority (the "other sheep") to a cleansed earth after Armageddon. They interpret [[Book of Revelation|Revelation]] 14:1–5 to mean that the number of Christians going to heaven is limited to exactly 144,000, who will rule with Jesus as kings and priests over earth.{{sfn|Penton|1997|pages=193–194}} They believe that baptism as a Jehovah's Witness is vital for salvation,{{sfn|Chryssides|2022|page=11}} and do not recognize baptism from other denominations as valid.{{sfn|Chryssides|2022|page=99}} Jehovah's Witnesses believe that some people who died before Armageddon will be resurrected, taught the proper way to worship God, and then face a final test at the end of the [[Millennialism|millennial reign]].<ref>{{harvnb|Hoekema|1963|pages=315–319}}</ref> This judgment will be based on their actions after resurrection rather than past deeds. At the end of the thousand years, Jesus will hand all authority back to God. Then a final test will take place when Satan is released to mislead humankind. Those who fail will die, along with Satan and his demons.<ref name="auto">{{harvnb|Hoekema|1963|pages=307–321}}</ref> They also believe that those who rejected their beliefs while still alive will not be resurrected.{{sfn|Chryssides|2022|page=162}}

===Eschatology===
{{Main|Eschatology of Jehovah's Witnesses}}
{{See also|Unfulfilled Watch Tower Society predictions}}
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that [[Devil in Christianity|Satan]] was originally a perfect [[angel]] who developed feelings of self-importance and craved worship. Satan influenced [[Adam and Eve]] to disobey God, and humanity subsequently became participants in a challenge involving the competing claims of Jehovah and Satan to universal sovereignty.<ref name="pentonsatan" >{{harvnb|Penton|1997|pages=188–190}}</ref> Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus began to rule invisibly in heaven as king of God's kingdom in October 1914 and that Satan was subsequently [[War in Heaven|ousted from heaven to the earth]]. They base this belief on a rendering of the Greek word ''[[parousia]]''—usually translated as "coming" when referring to Jesus—as "presence".{{sfn|Penton|1997|pages=17–19}} Jehovah's Witnesses believe that they are the kingdom's representatives on earth.{{sfn|Rogerson|1969|page=105}} They also believe that they must remain [[#Separate|separate]] from human governments, which they consider to be controlled by Satan.{{sfn|Chryssides|2022|page=89}} The kingdom is viewed as the means by which God will accomplish his original purpose for the earth, transforming it into a paradise without sickness or death.{{sfn|Rogerson|1969|page=106}} Jehovah's Witnesses do not currently suggest any specific date for the end of the world,{{sfn|Chryssides|2008|page=xiv}} but Watch Tower Society literature has previously made such statements about 1914, 1925 and 1975.{{sfn|Chryssides|2008|page=xiv}} These failed predictions were presented as "beyond doubt" and "approved by God".<ref>{{cite book|author=James A. Beverley|isbn=0-920413-37-4|location=Burlington, Ontario|pages=86–91|publisher=Welch Publishing Company|title=Crisis of Allegiance|year=1986}}</ref> Some Watch Tower Society publications state that God has used Jehovah's Witnesses and the International Bible Students as a modern-day prophet.<ref group=en>Raymond Franz cites numerous examples. In ''Crisis of Conscience'', 2002, pg. 173, he quotes from {{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=April 1, 1972|title=They Shall Know That a Prophet Was Among Them|pages=197–200|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1972241}} which states that God had raised Jehovah's Witnesses as a prophet "to warn (people) of dangers and declare things to come". He also cites {{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=May 1, 1997|title=Identifying the Right Kind of Messenger|page=8|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1997323 }} which identifies the Witnesses as his "true messengers ... by making the messages he delivers through them come true", in contrast to "false messengers", whose predictions fail. In ''In Search of Christian Freedom,'' 2007, he quotes {{cite book|title=Commissioned to Speak in the Divine Name |publisher=Watchtower Bible and Tract Society|year=1971|pages=70, 292|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1101971004}} which describes Witnesses as the modern Ezekiel class, "a genuine prophet within our generation". The Watch Tower book noted: "Concerning the message faithfully delivered by the Ezekiel class, Jehovah positively states that it 'must come true' ... those who wait undecided until it does 'come true' will also have to know that a prophet himself had proved to be in the midst of them." He also cites {{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=October 15, 1980|title=Execution of the Great Harlot Nears|page=17|url=https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1980765 }} which claims God gives the Witnesses "special knowledge that others do not have ... advance knowledge about this system's end".</ref>

A central teaching of Jehovah's Witnesses is that the world faces imminent destruction through intervention by God and Jesus Christ.<ref>{{harvnb|Hoekema|1963|page=297}}</ref> This belief has been present since the group's founding.{{sfn|Holden|2002|page=7}} They believe that Jesus' inauguration as king in 1914 is a sign that the [[great tribulation]] is about to take place.{{sfn|Penton|2015|page=177}} Jehovah's Witnesses believe that all other present-day religions are false, identifying them with [[Whore of Babylon#Jehovah's Witnesses view|Babylon the Great]], the "harlot" of [[Revelation 17]].<ref>{{harvnb|Hoekema|1963|pages=286}}</ref> They believe that [[Nebuchadnezzar II]] had a dream where he saw a statue with a gold head, silver chest and arms, copper abdomen, iron legs, and feet that were a mixture of clay and iron. This dream is interpreted as a prophecy representing the rise and fall of empires: gold represents Babylon, silver represents Persia, copper represents Greece, iron represents Rome, and clay represents an Anglo-American empire. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that humanity is currently living in the last empire that will eventually be destroyed by the [[United Nations]], which is also interpreted as the  [[Jehovah's Witnesses and the United Nations|scarlet-colored wild beast]].{{sfn|Chryssides|2022|pages=114-117}} Satan will subsequently use world governments to attack Jehovah's Witnesses, which will prompt God to begin the war of [[Armageddon]], during which all forms of human government will be destroyed and all people not counted as Jesus' sheep will be killed. After Armageddon, God will extend his heavenly kingdom to include earth, which will be transformed into a paradise like the [[Garden of Eden]].{{sfn|Penton|1997|page=180}} They thus depart from the mainstream Christian belief that the "[[second coming]]" of [[Matthew 24]] refers to a single moment of arrival on earth to judge humans.{{sfn|Penton|1997|pages=17–19}}

===Family life===
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that dating should only occur if the couple is seriously considering marriage. Dating outside the denomination is strongly discouraged and can lead to [[#Disciplinary action|religious sanctions]]. Dating Jehovah's Witnesses are encouraged to have a [[Chaperone (social)|chaperone]] when they are together to avoid acting on sexual desires.{{sfn|Chryssides|2022|pages=102-106}} All sexual relations outside marriage are grounds for expulsion if the person is not deemed repentant;<ref>{{cite book|author=Chryssides, G.D.|isbn=978-0-304-33651-7|page=103|publisher=Continuum International Publishing Group|title=Exploring New Religions|year=1999}}</ref> [[homosexuality|homosexual]] activity is considered a serious sin, and [[same-sex marriage]] is forbidden.{{sfn|Chryssides|2022|page=77}} Masturbation is also prohibited.{{sfn|Chryssides|2022|page=85}}

Jehovah's Witnesses may get married at a Kingdom Hall in a simple ceremony and practices considered pagan such as wishing good luck or throwing rice are prohibited. An elder will give a talk to the congregation.{{sfn|Chryssides|2022|page=105}} Once married, a husband is considered to have [[spiritual headship]] over his wife, unless he is not one of Jehovah's Witnesses.{{sfn|Chryssides|2022|pages=105-106}} [[Contraception]] is allowed.{{sfn|Chryssides|2022|page=104}} [[Divorce]] is forbidden if not sought on the grounds of [[adultery]], which is called a "scriptural divorce".{{sfn|Penton|1997|pages=110–112}} If a divorce is obtained for any other reason, remarriage is considered adulterous unless the former spouse has died or is considered to have committed [[sexual ethics|sexual immorality]].{{sfn|Chryssides|2022|page=106}} Spouses may [[legal separation|separate]] in cases of [[domestic violence]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Baird |first1=Julia |last2=Gleeson |first2=Hayley |title=Shattering the silence: Australians tell their stories of surviving domestic violence in the church |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-18/shattering-silence-surviving-domestic-violence-in-church/8788902 |website=ABC News |date=August 18, 2017 |access-date=6 July 2024}}</ref> Jehovah's Witness households are expected to have a family worship session each week.{{sfn|Chryssides|2022|page=76}}