Jehovah's Witnesses

Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian sect, founded in 1872 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, by the American clergyman Charles Taze Russell. Members of the sect originally were known by the popular name of Russellites. The legal governing body of Jehovah's Witnesses is the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, incorporated in 1884. European members belong to the affiliated International Bible Students Association, incorporated in London in 1914. International headquarters is in Brooklyn, New York.

Members of the sect believe in the second coming of Christ; they regard themselves as practitioners of primitive Christianity and consider each Witness a minister. The sect stresses Bible study and absolute obedience to biblical precepts. Its teachings are spread primarily by members who preach from door to door and distribute literature to passersby on street corners. Bible study classes frequently are conducted in private homes. The meeting places of Jehovah's Witnesses are called Kingdom Halls.

Witnesses acknowledge allegiance solely to the kingdom of Jesus Christ. They refuse consequently to salute any flag, vote, perform military service, or otherwise signify allegiance to any government. This policy has brought them into conflict with governmental authorities in many countries.

Jehovah's Witnesses teach that Christ began his invisible reign as king in 1914. They believe that soon the forces of good, led by Christ, will defeat the forces of evil, led by Satan, at the battle of Armageddon. Thereafter Christ will rule the Earth for a thousand years. During this millennium the dead will rise again, and all people will have a second opportunity to achieve salvation. At the end of the millennium Satan will return to Earth, and he and those who support him will finally be destroyed. A perfect humankind will then enjoy eternal life on Earth.

The sect maintains an extensive publishing programme, issuing books and pamphlets in many languages. Its best-known periodical, The Watchtower, is printed in more than 140 languages. In 2003 the worldwide membership of active adherents was reported by the Jehovah's Witnesses to be 6.4 million, with congregations in more than 200 countries.