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Jehovah’s Witnesses

Jehovah’s Witnesses. Beliefs , customs , spread in the US and the world, situation in Germany & the documentary “ Knocking“. Beliefs. Bible they interpret the bible literally

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Jehovah’s Witnesses

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  1. Jehovah’sWitnesses Beliefs, customs, spread in the US and the world, situation in Germany & the documentary “Knocking“

  2. Beliefs Bible • theyinterpretthebibleliterally • owntranslationofthebible: ‚the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures’ which is a new translation of the new testament God • is called ‘Jehovah’; above all other beings; created everything that exists • has a soncalled ‚Jesus‘; he‘snogod, just a mightycreature

  3. Beliefs Holy Spirit • Jehovah‘s force on earth; not a part of the TheTrinity (Christian Trinity is wrong and is based on pagan ideas) Cross • Jesus did not die on a cross, but on single stake

  4. Beliefs Death, Heaven & Hell • the death is the end of a human being (bible says that human beings do not have an immortal soul that survives when the body dies) • no heaven and no hell

  5. Customs • They believe that they are in but not of the world • Theyrefusemilitaryservice, voting in elections, andtakingpart in mostreligiousfestivalsandsecularcelebrations • But theyacceptcivilianserviceas an alternative tomilitaryservice • Theybelievethatmissionaryworkshouldtakepriorityovercareer • Transgressionsare dealt withbylocalhearingsorbytheelders • Strongestpunishmentisthe „disfellowshipping“ofmembers, withisdoneto 50,000 to 60,000 members per year. • For example sins such as drunkenness, stealing or adultery

  6. Spreading • In 2005: • 6.5 million Witnesses around the world (the population of whole Denmark) • About 165,000 in Germany • Many of them in the USA (around 1 million people)

  7. Spreading • In 2010: • 7.5 million witnesses all over the world • 260,000 active and inactive members in Germany • About 0.3% of the world population • More than 1 million in the USA • Around one third in Latin America • Annual increment of 2.5% because of missionary work  „Jehovah’s Witnesses“ is one of the fastest-growing religious community.

  8. Situation in germany • Situation during the National Socialsm: • Theywerepersecutedbythe NS-Regime • Theyrefusedmilitaryservice • So they were persecuted and brought to concentration camps • Many of them died during this time • In this time they had about 25,000 followers

  9. Situation in germany • Situation in the GDR: • They were banned in the GDR, because the regime thought, that they want to fight against them • After the end of the GDR they were accepted by the state

  10. Situation in germany • Situation in Germany today • They are accepted by the state • Today they have about 260,000 followers • They don‘t have all the rights that other religions in Germany have • For example: they are not allowed to teach their religion in German schools

  11. jehovah's witnesses “Knocking”, A Documentary • In Nazi Germany, they chose non-violence, landing them in the concentration camps rather than fighting for Hitler. • KNOCKING follows two Jehovah’s Witness families who stand firm for their controversial faith. • Joseph Kempler was born a Polish Jew, then he became a Jehovah's Witness. • He is a survivor of six concentration camps. • After Joseph immigrated to the United States as a young man, a pair of Jehovah's Witnesses knocked on his door. • He found a renewed purpose for God in their teachings and eventually converted. • Seth Thomas lives in the US. • A genetic disorder has ravaged his liver and at 23, he requires a transplant to survive. • He has found a live-donor match with his father, who can give half of his liver to Seth. • But neither will accept a blood transfusion, which goes against their beliefs.

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