Who are Jehovah’s Witnesses & why do some see them as a threat?

[Guest Kurt]

Jehovah’s Witnesses are likely best known for coming to your door evangelizing, yet that same group has been deemed an extremist group by the Russian Supreme Court, which has outlawed the religion and made it possible to seize their property. Why all the fuss?

The Conversation looks at the history of the movement that started near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the late 19th century and since spread throughout the world.

One major difference with other branches of Christianity is the way they view Jesus.

Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the Trinity. For most Christians, God is a union of three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Instead, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus is distinct from God – not united as one person with him. The “Holy Spirit,” then, refers to God’s active power. Such doctrines distinguish Jehovah’s Witnesses from mainline Christian denominations, all of which hold that God is “triune” in nature.

With the many varieties of religion beliefs or lack thereof in the world, why are they seen as a threat, not only in Russia, but in a variety of places throughout their relatively short history?

Jehovah’s Witnesses have no political affiliations, and they renounce violence. However, they make an easy target for governments looking for internal enemies, as they refuse to bow down to government symbols. Many nationalists call them “enemies of the state.”

As a result, they have often suffered persecution throughout history in many parts of the world.

So, if you’ve never opened the door for a long conversation, find out more about the religion at your leisure at The Conversation.

Full story at The Conversation.

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