Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses
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Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses include activities common to many christian denominations, such as evangelism, gathering for group worship and study, and donating money to support their religious activities. This article discusses how the doctrines as well as non-doctrinal organizational and cultural arrangements manifest themselves in the practices and stances of Jehovah's Witnesses.
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Funding
Jehovah's Witnesses fund their activities, such as publishing, constructing and operating facilities, evangelism, and disaster relief via donations. There is no tithing or collection, but all are encouraged to donate to the organization; Witnesses typically provide an opportunity for members of the public to make such donations as they encounter them in their preaching work. Donation boxes labeled for several specific purposes, are located in Kingdom Halls and other meeting facilities. Generally there is a Kingdom Hall fund for operating expenses locally, and a general fund for the "Worldwide Work", which includes the printing of literature, organization of conventions, supporting missionaries and disaster relief.
The accounts (including donations) and the financial operation of the local congregation are reviewed monthly with the entire congregation at the Service Meeting. (This meeting is open to the public.) Donations are also accepted via mail, and the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society can be named as a beneficiary to an estate, and also accepts donations in the form of life insurance policies, pension plans, bank accounts, certificates of deposit, retirement accounts, stocks and bonds, real estate, annuities and trusts. Image:Kingdomhall.jpg
Evangelism
As their name implies, Jehovah's Witnesses are well known for their intensive witnessing, or, proselytizing, efforts. Witnesses generally refer to their evangelizing activities by terms such as: "preaching," "disciple-making", "service," "the ministry," and, more formally, but less frequently, "evangelizing". All members (known as "publishers") who are healthy enough are strongly encouraged to go from door to door, participating in this activity to the extent that their circumstances allow, every week if at all possible. Even children are encouraged to participate, accompanied by their parents. A publisher who fails to participate for a month is known as an "irregular publisher"; publishers who have not compiled and turned in a field service report for six consecutive months are known as "inactive publishers". Witnesses who spend at least 840 hours of witnessing during a year (an average of 70 hours per month) are known as "regular pioneers". Witnesses who wish to spend 50 hours per month are known as "auxiliary pioneers" and can serve in this capacity either a month at a time or consecutively.
Missionary service is another opportunity members have to reach persons in other lands. Those invited to share in such work are usually given specialized training at the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead. These individuals, on an average dedicate over 120 hours a month to their work. As of 1998 there were 2,390 Witnesses having missionary status serving in 148 lands. <ref> Determined to Follow God’s Way of Life The Watchtower January 15 1999 p. 6</ref>
Witnesses have, in the past, used a wide variety of methods to spread their faith, including information marches, where members wore sign boards and handed out leaflets, to sound cars, and syndicated newspaper columns and radio spots devoted to sermons. Between 1924 and 1957, the organization operated a radio station, WBBR, from New York. They discarded this medium largely due to the prevalence of [teleevangelist] radio programs to minimize identification with other religious groups. In recent decades, additional methods have included preaching by telephone, at bus stops, places of business and in the street. Specialized territories of residential and commercial areas are made up within a congregation's boundaries and distributed to publishers.
Currently, door-to-door evangelizing for the Witnesses involves endeavouring to engage individuals in discussion of religious matters and offering literature about their faith, with the goal of starting a Bible study with anyone who shows an interest. The production of literature is supported by donations. No financial or material rewards are offered for conversion. Publishers carry forms knowns as "not-at-home slips" to keep record of those homes that need revisiting at another time when its occupants are at home.
Kingdom Halls and Assembly Halls
Jehovah's Witnesses call their meeting places "Kingdom Halls" instead of churches, to indicate that the gathering of the congregation is what is important, not the physical location itself. Another reason is that they deem the use of the term church to now be largely confusing and inaccurate because the term in its Biblical context actually refers to a gathering or a "congregation" of people and not to the meeting place or the building itself (see the etymology of the word). In general, the buildings are functional in character, and do not contain religious symbols.
In many countries, the Witnesses have "Assembly Halls" where about twenty congregations meet two or three times a year for one-day or two-day Assemblies. In countries and areas without such Assembly Halls, or when attendance is expected to exceed seating capacity, the annual assemblies are held in borrowed or rented facilities suitable for the purpose, such as public auditoriums.
The Assembly Halls are typically too small to accommodate the larger "District Conventions" and "International Conventions." Once a year Jehovah's Witnesses come together at larger assemblies called "District Conventions" which are usually three days long. Every fifth year "International Conventions", with visiting delegates from a number of foreign countries usually lasting three to four days, are held in selected cities. The attendance of some "International Conventions" number into the hundreds of thousands with the largest-ever gathering held in New York in 1958 at the Yankee Stadium and Polo Grounds with a peak attendance exceeding 250,000.
The great majority of the Kingdom Halls and Assembly Halls, as well as the Watchtower Society's headquarters and branch office facilities around the world, have been constructed by the Witnesses themselves freely contributing their own time. The needed finances come from voluntary contributions made by Jehovah's Witness members according to each one's means and inclination.
Meetings
Congregation meetings [1] are held three times a week. All meetings are generally synchronous, so that all congregations are studying the same material at the same meeting. Meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses open and close with prayer. Hymns called Kingdom songs are usually sung at meetings held in the Kingdom Hall, as well as at assemblies and conventions. Dress for meetings is local formal attire. For instance in most Western countries this would consist of a suit and tie for males, and conservative dresses/skirts for females (pants are considered inappropriate for meetings). Meetings are free to attend, and are open to the public.
The Theocratic Ministry School
On a weekday evening, the 'Theocratic Ministry School' is held. The School is designed to train Publishers to be more effective in their ministry. The publishers are trained in how to use the Bible. Over the course of a few years, the entire Bible is discussed and part of it is read aloud. The publishers are encouraged to read the rest personally. Then practical training is given on how to give a short public talk, doing Bible research, and presenting material to people one might meet in the public ministry. Enrollment is voluntary and open to all congregation members in good standing. Students in the school receive assignments on a rotating basis. At each meeting, six students give brief speeches on pre-selected Bible topics, and an instructor comments on the speech and offers commendation on specific points of delivery. Additional constructive criticism is sometimes given privately. The Theocratic Ministry School is an hour in length.
The Service Meeting
This is followed by the 'Service Meeting', a training program for their preaching work. This forty-five minute meeting gives the publishers practical instructions that will help them to become more efficient in carrying on their house-to-house ministry. The program provides a variety of methods for instructing and teaching. There are talks, demonstrations, question-and-answer parts, interviews and discussions between two or more persons. Our Kingdom Ministry, a monthly publication of Jehovah's Witnesses, outlines the material to be covered during the Service Meeting.
The Public Talk
A qualified elder or ministerial servant delivers a discourse on a Bible-based subject. The speaker may be from the local congregation or from another congregation, usually nearby. This Public Meeting is generally held on Sundays, but can be on another day if that is more convenient for the congregation (this is most usual when more than 4 congregations share a Kingdom Hall). This talk is particularly directed toward interested members of the public who are not Jehovah's Witnesses.
The Watchtower Study
Generally following the Public Talk, after the intermission of a Kingdom Song, is the Watchtower Study. The Bible is studied with the aid of an article in the Watchtower magazine. An experienced elder (the Watchtower Study Conductor) leads the discussion from the platform. Each paragraph is read by a fluent reader who is a 'brother in good standing' and is assigned by the conductor for that week. Questions included in the article for that paragraph are then posed to the audience. After calling on one or more in attendance to express themselves on that question, the conductor will often ask follow-up questions of his own or offer comments himself before moving to the next paragraph. Many of the numerous scriptures cited in the study article will be read aloud by called-on members of the audience. Four or five review questions are typically asked at the end of an article. The Public Talk and Watchtower Study together usually last 2 hours from opening prayer to closing prayer.
The Book Study
At a separate time during the week the 'Congregation Book Study' is held, for which Witnesses meet in small groups of about 10 to 15, usually in the private homes of members, and typically lasting an hour. Spiritual topics are covered using a study book or a brochure prepared by Jehovah's Witnesses and Bible. The material usually has some questions prepared, and a discussion is encouraged starting with these questions. The Q&A format and conductor-reader arrangement is similar to the Watchtower study, but the meeting format is smaller, less formal, and more interactive. The elder who serves as conductor for a book study group is generally loosely responsible for 'shepherding' those publishers who attend it and for organizing field service meetings and arrangements for them. In some lands exercising a ban on the activity of Jehovah's Witnesses, such book study groups become "mini-congregations" that meet individually for all meetings except on occasion. This allows their activity to go relatively unnoticed by governmental authorities as would larger gatherings.
Memorial of Christ's Death
Template:Seealso Jehovah's Witnesses commemorate Christ's death as a ransom or propitiatory sacrifice by observing The Lord's Evening Meal, or Memorial, each year on Nisan 14 according to the ancient Jewish calendar. They believe that this is the only celebration commanded for Christians in the Bible. In support, they often cite Jesus' words found at 1 Corinthians 11:25, 26, NWT, "'Keep doing this ... in remembrance of me.'" Of those who attend the Memorial a small minority worldwide will partake of the eating of the unleavened bread and the drinking of the wine. (For statistics of the number of partakers in relationship to non-partakers, see Jehovah's Witnesses (Membership))
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that only a small minority, called the "anointed," can partake of the bread and wine. (see Jehovah's Witnesses (Salvation)) The persons who actually partake, are in general considered of the "anointed," though Jehovah's Witnesses believe that some of them may be in error.
The celebration of the Memorial of Christ's Death proceeds as follows: In advance of the Memorial, Jehovah's Witnesses invite anyone that may be interested to attend this special night. The week of the Memorial is generally filled with special activity in the ministry (e.g. door-to-door work). A suitable hall, for example a Kingdom Hall, is prepared for the occasion. The Memorial begins with a song and a prayer. The prayer is followed by a discourse on the importance of the evening. A table is set with wine and unleavened bread. Jehovah's Witnesses believe the bread stands for Jesus Christ's body which he gave on behalf of mankind, and that the wine stands for his blood which redeems from sin. They do not believe in transubstantiation or consubstantiation. Hence, the wine and the bread are merely symbols (sometimes referred to as "emblems"), but they have a very deep and profound meaning for Jehovah's Witnesses. A prayer is offered and the bread is circulated among the audience. Only those who are "anointed" partake. Then another prayer is offered, and the wine is circulated in the same manner. After that, the evening concludes with a final song and prayer.
It is common for the bread and wine to be passed and have no partakers.
External links
- Reliving Jesus' Last Days on Earth - Jehovah's Witnesses Official Web Site
- The Last Days of Jesus' Human Life - Jehovah's Witnesses Official Web Site
Neutrality
Although in general respecting the law of the land, Jehovah's Witnesses do not salute flags, sing national anthems, or pledge allegiance to any state or nation. This is not intended as disrespect for any particular nation or for governments; Witnesses recognize the legitimacy of political leaders, believing that they are the "superior authorities" referred to by the Apostle Paul in Romans 13:1 (NWT), and are therefore to be respected. Indeed, in many places, the Witnesses have been commended for their law-abiding stance. They make a distinction, however, between a show of respect and what they consider to be a manifestation of worship. Jehovah's Witnesses feel that saluting a flag or singing a national anthem crosses the dividing line between the two. This is because they believe they owe allegiance solely to Jehovah (God), that he alone may be worshipped.<ref>“Salvation Belongs to Jehovah”, The Watchtower September 15, 2002, p. 21.</ref>
For Jehovah's Witnesses, Neutrality is defined as:
- "The position of those who do not take sides with, or give support to, any of two or more contending parties. It is a fact of ancient and modern-day history that in every nation and under all circumstances true Christians have endeavored to maintain complete neutrality as to conflicts between factions of the world. They do not interfere with what others do about sharing in patriotic ceremonies, serving in the armed forces, joining a political party, running for a political office, or voting." - (Reasoning from the Scriptures, pages 269-270)
In this regard, Jehovah's Witnesses feel that their position is similar to that of the early Christians, who refused to sacrifice a few drops of wine or a few grains of incense to the Roman emperors even when faced with execution.
Saluting flags
Among the results of this belief in the United States are several cases of Constitutional law regarding the Pledge of Allegiance. The early cases establishing that government schools cannot mandate the Pledge, or the salute to the flag, all involved Witness students punished or threatened for their refusal.
Some courts in other countries have also protected the Witnesses' right to abstain from patriotic ceremonies. For example, in 1986, the Supreme Court of India held that no one can be forced to join in the singing of the national anthem if the person has a genuine, conscientious religious objection.
In a decision handed down on 1 March 1993, the Philippine Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of Jehovah's Witnesses in a case involving Witness youths who were expelled from school because they respectfully declined to salute the flag.
Military service
Additionally, Jehovah's Witnesses refuse to serve in military organizations, citing the principle they call Christian Neutrality. They understand Jesus' words , "They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world," to mean that they should take a neutral stand concerning political and military controversies. <ref>"They Are No Part of the World" Worship the Only True God 2002, p. 159.</ref>
Historically, this refusal to join the military has created serious difficulties for Jehovah's Witnesses, particularly in war time. During World War II, young Witnesses in a number of countries were executed for their conscientious objection to war; even in more democratic countries they were generally refused exemption from conscription and have often been imprisoned.
Currently, there is less conflict between Witnesses and most governments over this matter, as many countries have abolished conscription, whereas others have recognized the views of conscientious objectors and thus instituted the right to alternative civilian service, which Witnesses generally accept. In certain republics of the former Soviet Union, however, as well as in South Korea, Singapore, and some countries in Africa, young Witness males continue to serve prison terms in connection with this issue. As of December 15th, 2005 there were 1044 Witnesses imprisoned over this issue in South Korea.
During World War II Jehovah's Witnesses were persecuted by the Allies and the Axis powers for refusing to participate in these powers' respective war efforts. (See Jehovah's Witnesses and the Holocaust).
Jehovah's Witnesses are not pacifists, that is to say, they are not opposed to the use of violence in all circumstances. They recognize, for instance, the legitimacy of the wars between the ancient nation of Israel and surrounding nations, and point out that passages in both the Old and New Testaments refer to God using warlike methods at times.
Political activity
In harmony with the principle of Christian neutrality, referred to above, Jehovah's Witnesses are discouraged from voting in elections, but not prohibited from voting. (Watchtower 1 Nov 1999. p.28) They do not however run for any political office. On the other hand, they do not seek to prevent or discourage others (non-Witnesses) from doing so, if they so desire.
Association
Jehovah's Witnesses are a close-knit community (members address each other as Brother and Sister) and take seriously the Scriptural injunction to "be no part of the world," thus many are not inclined to socialize with non-members, whom they consider "bad association."
Since a Witness has social interactions while on the job or at school, he is encouraged to use these times for witnessing to non-members. Such contacts are often used as opportunities for starting conversations about their beliefs, "informal witnessing," as they call it. Some of the training and study that goes on during the three weekly meetings involves the proper way to witness to a non-member. It must be noted, though, that even though Witnesses are looking for opportunities to speak about their faith, they are ordinary people with other everyday interests and concerns. However, most of them hold their religion to be the most important thing in their life.
Each congregation operates under the oversight of a body of elders. Social events deemed to be wholesome are encouraged, since they strengthen the bonds of the congregation. However, if elders deem a social event to be inappropriate then it is likely that some action would be taken to preserve the group's identity and values, likely bringing a scripture or elsewhere-published spiritual information to the attention of those in need of it. Large social gatherings without proper oversight are discouraged.
It is not, however, the role of elders to make decisions for the congregation's members. In 1995, The Watchtower gave the following direction to elders: "In matters of conscience, therefore, elders do not make decisions for those under their care. They explain the Bible principles involved in a matter and then allow the individuals involved to use their own powers of reason to make a decision. This is a serious responsibility, yet it is one that the individual himself must bear." (6/15, page 22.)
Coming from different backgrounds and living different lives, each Christian has particular areas of focus and a unique perspective on non-doctrinal related matters. Thus, integrating diverse personalities into a congregational setting can be challenging. Things that are not directly regulated in the Bible are matters that each person himself must decide on. Some have a very hard view with a conscience that can allow for almost nothing, while some have a more forgiving attitude.<ref>Do All Things with a Good Conscience, The Watchtower December 1, 1977, p. 712.</ref>
Sociologist Rodney Stark notes: "Jehovah's Witnesses are expected to conform to rather strict standards, [but] enforcement tends to be very informal, sustained by the close bonds of friendship within the group. That is, while Witness elders can impose rather severe sanctions (such as expulsion and shunning) on deviant members, they seldom need to do so -- and when they do, the reasons for their actions will be widely-known and understood within the group. Moreover, even if leaders are not always very democratic, the path to leadership is. As a result, Witnesses tend to see themselves as part of the power structure, rather than subjected to it. It is this, not 'blind fanaticism' (as is so often claimed by outsiders and defectors), that is the real basis of authority among Witnesses." (Journal of Contemporary Religion)
(A note on Jehovah's Witnesses and democracy: As of 1932, Jehovah's Witnesses are not a democratic, but a theocratic organization. Appointment of elders and overseers in the congregation is a decision made by the elders already serving there, in conjunction with regional overseers and the national branch office, there is no election process and no vote of members is taken. However, in some situations, where local law requires the congregation to be an incorporated society or similar legal entity, congregation members may be asked to confirm their approval of a decision, often involving the spending of (donated) congregation funds.)
Although many young Witnesses do engage in casual recreational sports, the association discourages its members from extensively participating in athletic activities to avoid giving undue importance to sports or recreation. Members are discouraged (but not prohibited) from watching or participating in violent sports. An exception would be an inherently violent sport, such as boxing, for which participation could result in disfellowshipping.
Members not of marriageable age are strongly discouraged from courting, which, the Witnesses believe, is for those considering marriage only and should be avoided until both members are prepared for marriage. Little research has been done on the average age at which Witnesses marry, but former and current members agree that witnesses are more likely to marry at an early age - often between their late teens and early twenties. A 1994 survey in which all Jehovah's Witnesses in the Federal Republic of Germany were invited to participate, revealed that only 4.9% of them are divorced or separated, and many of these were already in this state before becoming Witnesses. The 2001 academic study ARIS identified an above average number of single, never-married adults in the U.S. among those self-identifying as Witnesses (27%), as well as below average numbers of unmarried cohabiting adults and separated or divorced adults. The same study noted that 71% of adults self-identifying as Witnesses were female.
Disfellowshipping (excommunication)
Main article: Jehovah's Witnesses and disfellowshipping
All members are expected to abide by Bible requirements as understood by Jehovah's Witnesses, and serious violations of these requirements can result in disfellowshipping, or excommunication. There are a number of offenses, which can result in disfellowshipping. These include: Abortion, adultery, apostasy, associating with one who is disfellowshipped or disassociated, bestiality, blood transfusions, drug abuse (non-medical), drunkenness, extortion, fornication, fraud, gambling, heresy, homosexual activity, idolatry, smiting, manslaughter, non-neutral activity, incest, interfaith, loose conduct - "One might assume that [loose conduct] (from the Greek word a·sel´gei·a) refers to conduct that is immoral but in a minor or not so serious way. This, however, is not the case according to the available evidence in Scripture and also in the ancient secular Greek writings in which this word appears. It is not limited to acts of sexual immorality. If a baptised Witness begins to teach doctrines contrary to the organisation's interpretation of the Bible it is grounds for disfellowshipping for apostasy.
Jehovah's Witnesses practice shunning (ignoring) after disfellowshipping and disassociation because:
- to tolerate violations of the Bible's standards in their ranks would bring reproach on God's name and organization.
- shunning keeps the congregation free of possible corrosive influences<ref>Jealous for the Pure Worship of Jehovah, The Watchtower September 15, 1995, p. 11.</ref>
- there is hope that such a serious measure will motivate the person in question to re-evaluate his course of action, repent and rejoin the organisation. - The Bible's Viewpoint - Why Disfellowshipping Is a Loving Arrangement Awake! September 8, 1996, p. 96.
Shunning is also practised when written letters of disassociation have been submitted by an individual, or if it is believed that a person has disassociated by their actions, such as by attending another religion's services; thus Jehovah's Witnesses refer to these as "disassociated".
Disfellowshipping is not necessarily permanent. If a disfellowshipped person repents of his former conduct, he may be reinstated into the congregation. No specific period of time is prescribed before this can happen; in most cases, at least six months pass, in many cases, considerably longer. Statistics appear to show that about one third of those disfellowshipped eventually return to the group.
Medicine and health
The Witnesses' teachings in general promote a healthy lifestyle. Magazine articles in the Awake! oftentimes discuss ways of maintaining both mental and physical health. In general, they encourage standard medical practices such as regular checkups, reliance on modern medical techniques to treat illnesses, etc. except when they consider certain techniques to violate Bible principles.
They believe that smoking and recreational drug use is incompatible with Christian principles.<ref>Be a Vessel for Honorable Use, The Watchtower March 15 1973, p. 182.</ref> Mostly due to the legality, the addictive nature, and established health risks associated with those activities. Drinking alcohol is viewed as permissible, since there is precedence in the Bible. If one of Jehovah's Witnesses does drink, it should only be in moderation. Drunkenness is not permitted.<ref>Maintain a Balanced View of the Use of Alcohol, The Watchtower December 1, 2004, p. 18.</ref>
Overview of blood-based treatments
Jehovah's Witnesses view of blood has been a common source of controversy. Though Jehovah's Witnesses view "Abstinence from blood" to have health benefits, it cannot be overemphasized that the basis for the belief is a spiritual one, not a medical one. Their stand on blood is to reject whole blood transfusions and the four major components of blood, these being, red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma and platelets.
Vaccinations
The Witnesses' position on vaccination has changed over the years.
Witness literature first mentions vaccination in 1921, and stated in 1923: "Vaccination, summed up, is the most unnatural, unhygienic, barbaric, filthy, abhorrent, and most dangerous system of infection known. Its vile poison taints, corrupts, and pollutes the blood of the healthy, resulting in ulcers, syphilis, scrofula, erysipelas, tuberculosis, cancer, tetanus, insanity, and death."<ref>The Golden Age, 3 January 1923 p.214.</ref>
Later, the Watchtower Society's position changed. In 1952, it stated: "The matter of vaccination is one for the individual that has to face it to decide for himself. Each individual has to take the consequences for whatever position and action he takes toward a case of compulsory vaccination, doing so according to his own conscience and his appreciation of what is for good health and the interests of advancing God's work. And our Society cannot afford to be drawn into the affair legally or take the responsibility for the way the case turns out."<ref>Questions From Readers The Watchtower, 15 December 1952 p.764</ref>
Organ transplants
The Witnesses' position on organ transplants has also changed over time.
Concerning organ transplants and autopsies, In 1952, The Watchtower stated: "Is there any Scriptural objection to . . . accepting organs for transplant from such a source? Humans were allowed by God to eat animal flesh and to sustain their human lives by taking the lives of animals, though they were not permitted to eat blood. Did this include eating human flesh, sustaining one's life by means of the body or part of the body of another human, alive or dead? No! That would be cannibalism, a practice abhorrent to all civilized people. . . Those who submit to such operations are thus living off the flesh of another human. That is cannibalistic. However, in allowing man to eat animal flesh Jehovah God did not grant permission for humans to try to perpetuate their lives by cannibalistically taking into their bodies human flesh, whether chewed or in the form of whole organs or body parts taken from others."<ref>The Watchtower, November 15, 1967, page 702.</ref>
In 1980, the same magazine wrote that some "sincere Christians" felt that the Bible did not rule out medical transplants of human organs. It said: "Clearly, personal views and conscientious feelings vary on this issue of transplantation. It is well known that the use of human materials for human consumption varies all the way from minor items, such as hormones and corneas, to major organs, such as kidneys and hearts. While the Bible specifically forbids consuming blood, there is no Biblical command pointedly forbidding the taking in of other human tissue. For this reason, each individual faced with making a decision on this matter should carefully and prayerfully weigh matters and then decide conscientiously what he or she could or could not do before God. It is a matter for personal decision.<ref>Questions from Readers The Watchtower March 15, 1980, p. 31.</ref>
It is interesting to note how this and similar changes affect individuals. Some are upset by the changes, while others see it as evidence of a progressive organization.
Abortion
Abortions are forbidden by their faith, on the basis of the belief that human life starts at conception.<ref>The Choices, the Issues Awake! September 22, 2004, p. 6.</ref> "There might be a situation in which, at the time of childbirth, a choice has to be made between the life of the mother and that of the child. It would be up to the individuals concerned to make that choice. In many lands, however, advances in medical procedures have made this situation very rare."<ref>Awake! September 8, 1987, page 28.</ref> They are not against contraception, as long as the contraceptive method works by preventing conception, as opposed to being an early abortifacient abortion.
Alternative Medicine and related health practices
Alternative forms of medical treatment are basically an area for personal decision. Aside from such things as discussed above, the Watch Tower Society's official position on medical and health issues is that it "does not make recommendations or decisions for individuals on medical and diagnostic practices. If certain practices have aspects that are questionable in the light of Bible principles, however, attention may be called to these. Then each person can weigh what is involved and decide what to do."<ref>The Watchtower December 15, 1994, p. 19</ref> This would include a wide variety of practices such as tantra, shamanism, yoga, crystals, acupuncture, herbology, etc. Each issue should be examined on its own. For example:
- Yoga: Jehovah's Witnesses' position on Yoga is that it is a "detestable thing" similar to what God called the practices of Canaan in the times of Ancient Israel. Quoting religious practitioners of Yoga who state that it is the act of "yoking" the self with a supernatural spirit, the Watchtower Society has concluded that it is not an acceptable activity for Christians even if done under a non-religious setting (such as for exercise).<ref>Yoga - Just an Exercise or Something More? The Watchtower August 1, 2002, p. 20. Web version available at http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2002/8/1a/article_01.htm.</ref>
- Traditional Chinese Medicine: Jehovah's Witnesses' have no official position on whether or not Traditional Chinese Medicine including Acupuncture and Herbology are acceptable or unacceptable for Christians. Based on a recent Awake! magazine, it states "Awake! does not endorse any particular treatment for health problems. Christians should be certain that any treatment they pursue does not conflict with Bible principles." In that article, they simply describe the different remedies, and leave it open to whether a Christian could utilize any of the techniques listed.<ref>Awake! November 8, 2000. Web version available at http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/2000/11/8/article_01.htm.</ref>
Disaster relief
Disaster relief to those within the organization is an important aspect of organizational activities. The organization of such relief is taken care of by the president of the governing body in collaboration with a committee headed by him.<ref>Giving That Pleases God The Watchtower June 1, 2003, p. 4.</ref> One of the Society's branch offices may be asked to take care of the need. The prime focus is on helping fellow believers, although others also receive assistance to some degree. Assistance often consists of both material and spiritual forms.
Samples of relief work include the French Branch Office of Jehovah's Witnesses which operates a non-governmental organization known as AidAfrique providing material help to Witnesses experiencing disasters in Africa. During the war in the former Yugoslavia, Witnesses from Austria and Germany provided material assistance to fellow believers in Sarajevo. Until not long ago, the Swedish branch specifically provided assistance to Congo-Kinshasa. Witness literature occasionally publishes reports covering relief work, and the Society also will issue press releases as well.
Literacy programs
Jehovah's Witnesses offer literacy programs in countries where there is a need. For example, Witness literacy classes in Nigeria between 1962 and 1994 were attended by upwards of 25,000 persons. In the same country, the literacy rate among Witnesses is over 90%, in contrast to the average of 68% for the population in general.
For this purpose, two booklets have been produced: Learn to Read and Write (1958 in Spanish) and Apply Yourself to Reading and Writing (1983 in French; 1997 in English).
For those with limited reading ability and comprehension, the magazine You Can Be God's Friend offers the ability for prepare for baptism without the standard literacy-intensive process.
See also
Notes and references
<references/>el:Πρακτικές των Μαρτύρων του Ιεχωβά