Jehovah's Witnesses

Key Person or Founder: Charles Taze Russell, later Joseph F. Rutherford. Began 1879 in Pennsylvania. Headquarters in Brooklyn, New York.

Key Writings: All current Watchtower publications, including the Bible (New World Translation only), Reasoning From the Scriptures, You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth. Watchtower and Awake! magazines.

Who is God? One-person God, called Jehovah. No Trinity. Jesus is the first thing Jehovah created.

Who is Jesus? Jesus is not God. Before he lived on earth, he was Michael, the archangel.

Jehovah made the universe through him. On earth he was a man who lived a perfect life. After dying on a stake (not a cross), he was resurrected as a spirit; his body was destroyed. Jesus is not coming again; he "returned" invisibly in 1914 in spirit. Very soon, he and the angels will destroy all non-Jehovah's Witnesses.

Who is the Holy Spirit? Holy Spirit is not God, but rather an invisible, active force from God.

How to Be Saved: Be baptized as Jehovah's Witnesses. Most followers must earn everlasting life on earth by "door-to-door work." Salvation in heaven is limited to 144,000 "anointed ones." This number is already reached.

What Happens After Death: The 144,000 live as spirits in heaven. The rest of the righteous,

"the great crowd," live on earth, and must obey God perfectly 1000 year or be annihilated.

Other Beliefs or Practices: Known as the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. Meet on Sundays in Kingdom Halls. Active members encouraged to distribute literature door-to-door. Once a year, Lord's Evening Meal; only "anointed" ones may partake. Do not observe religious or secular holidays. Do not vote, salute the flag, work in the military, or accept blood transfusions. Believe Armageddon will occur soon.