Jehovahs Witnesses
A popular millenarian Christian religious group that grew
out of the ministry of Pastor Charles Taze Russell in the late
nineteenth century. It is also known by reference to its corporate
entity, the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. Its members
have become a common sight in many countries as they
go from door to door preaching their message and distributing
their literature, especially the Watchtower magazine. Originally
known as Bible Students, the group adopted the name Jehovahs
Witnesses in 1931.
The Witnesses have, like many Christian churches, shown a
marked aversion to Spiritualism and other occult phenomena.
Very early in the groups history Russell attacked Spiritualism
(which he called Spiritism), and periodically over the years the
organization has published booklets and numerous articles
warning members to eschew any association with the occult.
The Witnesses primary biblical doctrinal handbook, Make Sure
of All Things, Hold Fast to What Is Fine (1965), includes an assemblage
of texts believed to refute Spiritualism as well as a separate
set dealing with reincarnation. Address 25 Columbia
Encyclopedia of Occultism & Parapsychology 5th Ed. Jehovahs Witnesses
829
Heights, Brooklyn, NY 11201-2483. Website http
www.watchtower.org.
Sources
Bergman, Jerry. Jehovahs Witnesses and Kindred Groups A
Historical Compendium and Bibliography. New York Garland
Publishing, 1984.
Can the Living Talk with the Dead A Clear Explanation of Spiritism.
Brooklyn, N.Y. International Bible Students, 1920.
Russell, Charles Taze. Unseen SpiritsDo They Help Us or,
Do They Harm Us Brooklyn, N.Y. Watchtower Bible and Tract
Society, 1978.
. What Do the Scriptures Say about Survival of Death
Brooklyn, N.Y. Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 1955.
. What Say the Scriptures about Spiritism Brooklyn,
N.Y. Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 1897.
Watchtower Official Site of the Jehovahs Witnesses. http
www.watchtower.org. March 27, 2000.
