耶和华见证人

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1872年由罗素在宾夕法尼亚匹兹堡创立的国际性宗教运动的成员。这种运动原本名为万国读经会,後来由罗素的後继人拉塞福(1869~1942)改为现称。见证人会是千禧年主义教派,这种信仰主要根据《圣经》中的启示部分,特别是〈但以理书〉和〈启示录〉。他们不服兵役或向国旗敬礼,这种行径使他们与全世界的政府直接发生冲突。他们还以挨门传道和反对输血闻名;他们相信可根据圣经为他们所有的行为和信仰作辩解。其目标是在地球上建立上帝之国,主张耶稣(为上帝第一个创造出来的,而不是三位一体中的其中一位)是这个计画的上帝代理人。总部设在纽约的布鲁克林,主要刊物是《守望塔》和《觉醒!》,用八十几种语言发行。亦请参阅millennium。

Jehovah's Witness

Member of an international religious movement founded in Pittsburgh, Pa., by Charles T. Russell in 1872. The movement was originally known as the International Bible Students Association, but its name was changed by Russell's successor, Joseph Franklin Rutherford (1869-1942). The Witnesses are a millennialist group whose beliefs are based primarily on the apocalyptic sections of the Bible, notably Daniel and the Book of Revelation. They refuse to perform military service or salute the flag, actions which have brought them into direct conflict with governments around the world. They are famous for their door-to-door evangelizing and for refusing blood transfusions; they believe there is scriptural justification for all their actions and beliefs. Their goal is the establishment of God's kingdom on earth, and they hold that Jesus—who is believed to be God's first creation rather than one person in a trinity—is God's agent in this plan. Their national headquarters is in Brooklyn, N.Y.; their major publications, the Watchtower and Awake!, are published in about 80 languages. See also millennialism.