Jehovahs Witnesses JEHOVAHS WITNESSES n n n Christian

Jehovah’s Witnesses

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES n n n Christian Group originating in U. S. at end of 19 th century Centers on the 2 nd coming of Christ -Believe this has already happened -Armageddon is imminent and repentant sinners will have a 2 nd chance for salvation. Only J. W. are ‘God’s People’.

Jehovah’s Witnesses n n (J. W. ) (cont. ) Base teachings on the Bible. No churches/meet in Kingdom Halls. No official ministers because all J. W. are considered ministers of the gospel. Views are circulated in Watchtower Awake! by house-to-house visits.

J. W. Witnesses/Subject of Harassment n n n Regard governments as the work of Satan. Refuse to bear arms in war or participate in any gov’t affairs. Refuse to salute the flag. (U. S. Supreme Court decision in their favor in 1943 -W. Virgiania State B. O. E. v. Barnette) n n Insist on a rigid moral code. Refuse blood transfusions.

Children of the Watchtower Teachings n n n Taught that serving God means to remain active in “Jehovah’s Organization”. Loyalty and obedience to elders are stressed above all. Protect the organization. “Door to Door” Witnessing. Enrolled in Theocratic Ministry School (endless, ongoing) which teaches public speaking, approaching strangers.

Watchtower Children Time Spent Typical Week Service meeting 1 hr n Theocratic Ministry School 1 hr n Congregation Book Study 1 hr n Public Talk 1 hr n Watchtower Study 1 hr n Door to Door work 3 hrs Total 8 hrs *In addition, 3 assemblies to attend in spring and fall (9 -12 days of intensive reinforcement to serve ‘Jehovah & Organization’ n Summer/School Break n n Auxillary Pioneer –breaks Vacation Pioneer- summer *60 hours per month of door-todoor and street witnessing.

Watchtower Children Public Schools n n n n Often encouraged not to join clubs. Don’t participate in organized sports. Don’t participate in school parties. Don’t salute the flag. Don’t sing patriotic songs. Don’t celebrate birthdays or holidays. Association with outsiders forbidden. (“Bad associations spoil useful habits”)

Jehovah’s Witnesses Speech Freedoms n n J. W. made big contributions to First Amendment freedoms. 23 spearate Supreme court rulings between 1938 – 1946. Minersville School District v. Gobitis: -Court ruled it was constitutional to require J. W. students to violate their faith and pledge allegiance to the flag in public schools. -J. W. believe that saluting the flag would amount to placing another deity before God. -Due to this ruling, 1, 500 J. W. were physically attacked “They’re traitors, the Supreme Court said so” Because of this reaction, Supreme Court reversed itself in W. Virgina State B. O. E. v. Barnette.

Religion in Public Schools n Many people believe that prayer or acknowledgement of religion is not allowed in public schools.

What the Constitution prohibits: n Requiring student to recite prayers in class. -Classroom prayer is an example of government approving one religion over another. n Public prayer at high school games. -An individual student or group of student is free to pray at a game. To prevent this would violate their free speech rights. -Teachers, coaches, etc. cannot lead a group prayer. This would be an endorsement of a specific religion. -Student led, student written public prayers are not to be permitted to be part of a game format. School officials cannot insert a prayers into the schedule of a game, even if led by a student.

What the Constitution prohibits: (Cont. ) n Promoting any one denomination or religion at the expense of another. -Ex. A comparative religion class must give a balanced description of religious and secular beliefs from a variety of faith groups and secular systems. n Banning the wearing of religious clothing and symbols. -Religious clothing and symbols, if not disruptive, are a protected form of free speech.

What the Constitution prohibits: (Cont. ) n Prayers before Board of Ed. Meetings. -Prayers are an illegal endorsement of religion. n Graduation ceremonies. -This is a very gray area as far as court rulings are concerned.

What the Constitution allows: n Teaching religion. -The positive and negative effects of religion on society may be studies in history, literature and other courses. -Comparative religion classes are allowed, as long as one religion is not presented as being superior to another. -Bible study is allowed as long as the texts from other religions are also studied. -Schools can communicate the broad field of religion but not indoctrinate their students in a particular faith.

What the Constitution allows: n Student religious clubs. -If a school receives federal funds, then it must obey the federal Equal Access Act of 1984. -Students are free to organize Bible study and other religious clubs if any other secular clubs are allowed. (The school may prohibit religious clubs, but only if it prohibits all student groups. ) -Religious clubs must be given the same access to school facilities. -Group meetings must be ‘voluntary and student initiated’. There must be no sponsorship by the school. -Teachers and school administrators may not direct or conduct. -Non-school religious persons may not direct, conduct or regularly attend.

What the Constitution allows: n Moment of silence. -Schools may have students engage in a moment of silence during which they can pray, meditate, plan their day or engage in any other silent mental activity. n Prayer outside of school building. -Students can organize prayers on school property outside the classroom such as ‘meet you at the flagpole’.

What the Constitution allows: n School religious speech. -Students can carry a Bible or other religious texts to and in school. -They can pray before eating, on the bus, in classrooms before and after class, in the hallways, restrooms, etc. -Students can wear clothing with religious text. -Students can talk freely about religion to fellow students outside of class.

What the Constitution allows: n Rental of school facilities. (Recent court decisions are split on this issue) -If school facilities are rented to secular groups, then they must also be rented to religious groups. n Teaching of evolution. -Teachers may explain evolution as a scientific theory.

Pledge of Allegiance n n Student’s are encouraged to show their devotion to the flag and their country by saying the Pledge of Allegiance. Students are not required, however, to take part in this activity. They may not interrupt others who are participating in this exercise.

Holiday Celebrations n n Schools may celebrate the secular aspect of holidays, but will not observe them as religious events. Schools may teach about holidays, including their religious aspects in part to advance the student’s knowledge of society’s cultural and religious heritage.

Constitution Summation n In summary, the law guarantees student’s fundamental religious freedoms while requiring the school to maintain a religiously neutral environment. (This sometimes requires limitations on teacher’s freedoms)