{"id":38201,"date":"2025-05-25T01:05:45","date_gmt":"2025-05-25T01:05:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/?p=38201"},"modified":"2025-07-15T12:07:56","modified_gmt":"2025-07-15T12:07:56","slug":"christian-readers-guide-jehovahs-witnesses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/ru\/learn\/christian-readers-guide-jehovahs-witnesses\/","title":{"rendered":"A Christian guide to understanding Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses"},"content":{"rendered":"
\u042d\u0442\u0430 \u0441\u0442\u0430\u0442\u044c\u044f \u044f\u0432\u043b\u044f\u0435\u0442\u0441\u044f 4-\u0439 \u0438\u0437 6 \u0432 \u0441\u0435\u0440\u0438\u0438 Understanding Jehova's Witnesses<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\u0425\u0440\u0438\u0441\u0442\u0438\u0430\u043d\u0441\u043a\u043e\u0435 \u0440\u0443\u043a\u043e\u0432\u043e\u0434\u0441\u0442\u0432\u043e \u0434\u043b\u044f \u0447\u0438\u0442\u0430\u0442\u0435\u043b\u0435\u0439 \u043f\u043e \u043f\u043e\u043d\u0438\u043c\u0430\u043d\u0438\u044e \u0421\u0432\u0438\u0434\u0435\u0442\u0435\u043b\u0435\u0439 \u0418\u0435\u0433\u043e\u0432\u044b<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I. \u0412\u0432\u0435\u0434\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435: \u043f\u043e\u043d\u0438\u043c\u0430\u043d\u0438\u0435 \u043d\u0430\u0448\u0438\u0445 \u0431\u043b\u0438\u0436\u043d\u0438\u0445<\/h2>\n

Hello, friend! It\u2019s wonderful that you\u2019re seeking to understand more about Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses. Maybe you\u2019ve seen them sharing their message in your neighborhood, met them at work or school, or simply heard about their beliefs and felt a desire to learn more. Curiosity about different faiths is natural, and seeking knowledge is a positive step. This guide is designed to help you, as a Christian reader, gain a clearer understanding of who Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses are, what they believe, and how they practice their faith. The goal here isn't judgment understanding, presented in a spirit of kindness.<\/p>\n

We're going to explore this topic together, looking at reliable information to answer common questions. We'll see how many Jehovah's Witnesses there are around the globe and right here in the United States. We'll delve into their core teachings about God, Jesus, and salvation. We'll also look at some of their unique practices, like why they don't celebrate certain holidays or accept blood transfusions. Throughout this journey, we'll compare these beliefs and practices with those typically held within mainstream Christianity. We'll use information from respected researchers and even from the official sources of Jehovah's Witnesses themselves, aiming for clarity and accuracy.\u00b9 To make it easy to follow, we'll address the top 10 questions that Christian readers often ask about this group.<\/p>\n

This guide is prepared with you, the Christian reader, in mind. It addresses questions that often arise from a biblical, faith-based perspective. We'll look at how the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses differ from foundational Christian doctrines, such as the nature of God as a Trinity and the identity of Jesus Christ. We'll even touch upon what the earliest Christians, the Church Fathers, taught about these vital matters. Our approach will be informative and respectful, aiming to provide clear answers that help you understand your neighbors better, all while holding fast to the truths of Christian faith.\u00b3<\/p>\n

\u0421\u043a\u043e\u043b\u044c\u043a\u043e \u0432\u0441\u0435\u0433\u043e \u0421\u0432\u0438\u0434\u0435\u0442\u0435\u043b\u0435\u0439 \u0418\u0435\u0433\u043e\u0432\u044b \u0432 \u043c\u0438\u0440\u0435 \u0438 \u0432 \u0440\u0430\u0437\u043d\u044b\u0445 \u0440\u0435\u0433\u0438\u043e\u043d\u0430\u0445, \u0442\u0430\u043a\u0438\u0445 \u043a\u0430\u043a \u0421\u0428\u0410?<\/h2>\n

Understanding the size and spread of any group helps put things in perspective. When it comes to Jehovah's Witnesses, their official reports provide specific numbers, though how they count members is unique.<\/p>\n

\u041c\u0438\u0440\u043e\u0432\u044b\u0435 \u043f\u043e\u043a\u0430\u0437\u0430\u0442\u0435\u043b\u0438 \u0438 \u043c\u0435\u0442\u043e\u0434\u044b \u043f\u043e\u0434\u0441\u0447\u0435\u0442\u0430<\/strong><\/p>\n

Globally, Jehovah's Witnesses report a major presence. Their 2023 and 2024 service year reports indicate a peak number of active members, whom they call \"publishers,\" hovering around 8.\u2078 to 9 million worldwide.\u00b2 These publishers are active in approximately 240 lands and territories, organized into over 118,000 congregations.\u00b2<\/p>\n

It's helpful to understand \u043f\u043e\u0447\u0435\u043c\u0443<\/em> these numbers might look different from other surveys. Jehovah's Witnesses count as members only those who actively report time spent preaching each month.\u2078 This method emphasizes active participation and ministry work. Government censuses or independent surveys, like those by Pew Research Center, often count based on self-identification \u2013 asking people which religious group they affiliate with.\u2078 This difference in counting explains why external estimates sometimes suggest a larger number of people identify as Jehovah's Witnesses than the official \"publisher\" count reflects.\u2078 For example, Although the official publisher count is around 9 million, attendance at their most important annual event, the Memorial of Christ's death, regularly exceeds 20 or 21 million people.\u00b2 This larger attendance figure suggests a wider circle of individuals who associate with or are influenced by the group, even if they aren't counted as active publishers.<\/p>\n

\u0420\u0430\u0441\u043f\u0440\u0435\u0434\u0435\u043b\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 \u043f\u043e \u043a\u043e\u043d\u0442\u0438\u043d\u0435\u043d\u0442\u0430\u043c<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jehovah's Witnesses have a presence on every inhabited continent. While specific numbers fluctuate slightly year to year, the 2023 service year report gives a good snapshot of their distribution based on peak publisher counts.\u00b9\u2074 Here's a general overview:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n\t\t\t\t\u041a\u043e\u043d\u0442\u0438\u043d\u0435\u043d\u0442\/\u041a\u0440\u0443\u043f\u043d\u044b\u0439 \u0440\u0435\u0433\u0438\u043e\u043d\n\t\t\t<\/th>\n\n\t\t\t\t\u041f\u0440\u0438\u043c\u0435\u0440\u043d\u043e\u0435 \u043f\u0438\u043a\u043e\u0432\u043e\u0435 \u0447\u0438\u0441\u043b\u043e \u0432\u043e\u0437\u0432\u0435\u0449\u0430\u0442\u0435\u043b\u0435\u0439 (\u043e\u043a. 2023 \u0433.)\n\t\t\t<\/th>\n\n\t\t\t\t\u041a\u043b\u044e\u0447\u0435\u0432\u044b\u0435 \u0441\u0442\u0440\u0430\u043d\u044b (\u043f\u0440\u0438\u043c\u0435\u0440\u044b)\n\t\t\t<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\n\t\t\t\tAfrica\n\t\t\t<\/td>\n\n\t\t\t\t~2,000,000+\n\t\t\t<\/td>\n\n\t\t\t\t\u041d\u0438\u0433\u0435\u0440\u0438\u044f, \u0414\u0420 \u041a\u043e\u043d\u0433\u043e, \u0417\u0430\u043c\u0431\u0438\u044f, \u0410\u043d\u0433\u043e\u043b\u0430, \u0413\u0430\u043d\u0430 14\n\t\t\t<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\t\t\t\tAsia\n\t\t\t<\/td>\n\n\t\t\t\t~700,000+\n\t\t\t<\/td>\n\n\t\t\t\t\u0424\u0438\u043b\u0438\u043f\u043f\u0438\u043d\u044b, \u042f\u043f\u043e\u043d\u0438\u044f, \u0418\u043d\u0434\u0438\u044f, \u0420\u0435\u0441\u043f\u0443\u0431\u043b\u0438\u043a\u0430 \u041a\u043e\u0440\u0435\u044f 14\n\t\t\t<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\u0415\u0432\u0440\u043e\u043f\u0430\n\t\t\t<\/td>\n\n\t\t\t\t~1,600,000+\n\t\t\t<\/td>\n\n\t\t\t\t\u0418\u0442\u0430\u043b\u0438\u044f, \u0413\u0435\u0440\u043c\u0430\u043d\u0438\u044f, \u0424\u0440\u0430\u043d\u0446\u0438\u044f, \u0412\u0435\u043b\u0438\u043a\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0438\u0442\u0430\u043d\u0438\u044f, \u041f\u043e\u043b\u044c\u0448\u0430, \u0418\u0441\u043f\u0430\u043d\u0438\u044f 14\n\t\t\t<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\u0421\u0435\u0432\u0435\u0440\u043d\u0430\u044f \u0410\u043c\u0435\u0440\u0438\u043a\u0430\n\t\t\t<\/td>\n\n\t\t\t\t~2,200,000+\n\t\t\t<\/td>\n\n\t\t\t\t\u0421\u0428\u0410, \u041c\u0435\u043a\u0441\u0438\u043a\u0430, \u041a\u0430\u043d\u0430\u0434\u0430 16\n\t\t\t<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\u042e\u0436\u043d\u0430\u044f \u0410\u043c\u0435\u0440\u0438\u043a\u0430\n\t\t\t<\/td>\n\n\t\t\t\t~1,600,000+\n\t\t\t<\/td>\n\n\t\t\t\t\u0411\u0440\u0430\u0437\u0438\u043b\u0438\u044f, \u0410\u0440\u0433\u0435\u043d\u0442\u0438\u043d\u0430, \u041a\u043e\u043b\u0443\u043c\u0431\u0438\u044f, \u0412\u0435\u043d\u0435\u0441\u0443\u044d\u043b\u0430, \u041f\u0435\u0440\u0443 14\n\t\t\t<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\u041e\u043a\u0435\u0430\u043d\u0438\u044f\n\t\t\t<\/td>\n\n\t\t\t\t~100,000+\n\t\t\t<\/td>\n\n\t\t\t\t\u0410\u0432\u0441\u0442\u0440\u0430\u043b\u0438\u044f, \u041d\u043e\u0432\u0430\u044f \u0417\u0435\u043b\u0430\u043d\u0434\u0438\u044f, \u041f\u0430\u043f\u0443\u0430 \u2014 \u041d\u043e\u0432\u0430\u044f \u0413\u0432\u0438\u043d\u0435\u044f 14\n\t\t\t<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

(\u041f\u0440\u0438\u043c\u0435\u0447\u0430\u043d\u0438\u0435: \u0418\u0442\u043e\u0433\u043e\u0432\u044b\u0435 \u0446\u0438\u0444\u0440\u044b \u044f\u0432\u043b\u044f\u044e\u0442\u0441\u044f \u043f\u0440\u0438\u0431\u043b\u0438\u0437\u0438\u0442\u0435\u043b\u044c\u043d\u044b\u043c\u0438, \u0440\u0430\u0441\u0441\u0447\u0438\u0442\u0430\u043d\u043d\u044b\u043c\u0438 \u043f\u0443\u0442\u0435\u043c \u0441\u0443\u043c\u043c\u0438\u0440\u043e\u0432\u0430\u043d\u0438\u044f \u0434\u0430\u043d\u043d\u044b\u0445 \u043f\u043e \u0441\u0442\u0440\u0430\u043d\u0430\u043c \u0438\u0437 \u043e\u0442\u0447\u0435\u0442\u0430 \u0437\u0430 2023 \u0433\u043e\u0434.\u00b9\u2074 \u041f\u043e \u043d\u0435\u043a\u043e\u0442\u043e\u0440\u044b\u043c \u043a\u0440\u0443\u043f\u043d\u044b\u043c \u0441\u0442\u0440\u0430\u043d\u0430\u043c, \u0442\u0430\u043a\u0438\u043c \u043a\u0430\u043a \u0420\u043e\u0441\u0441\u0438\u044f \u0438 \u041a\u0438\u0442\u0430\u0439, \u0434\u0430\u043d\u043d\u044b\u0435 \u043d\u0435 \u0441\u043e\u043e\u0431\u0449\u0430\u044e\u0442\u0441\u044f.)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u0421\u0442\u0430\u0442\u0438\u0441\u0442\u0438\u043a\u0430 \u043f\u043e \u0421\u043e\u0435\u0434\u0438\u043d\u0435\u043d\u043d\u044b\u043c \u0428\u0442\u0430\u0442\u0430\u043c<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the United States, Jehovah's Witnesses report around 1.\u00b2\u2076 million active publishers.\u00b9\u2078 But studies like the Pew Research Center's Religious Landscape Study estimate that those identifying as Jehovah's Witnesses make up less than 1% of the U.S. Adult population (around 0.7% or 0.8%).\u00b9\u00b9 This percentage translates to roughly 2.\u2075 million individuals, significantly higher than the publisher count.\u2079 Again, this highlights the difference between counting active ministers versus those who simply identify with the faith.\u2078<\/p>\n

\u0422\u0435\u043d\u0434\u0435\u043d\u0446\u0438\u0438 \u0440\u043e\u0441\u0442\u0430<\/strong><\/p>\n

Historically, particularly in the mid-to-late 20th century, Jehovah's Witnesses experienced rapid growth, sometimes being cited as one of the fastest-growing religious movements in the Western world.\u00b2\u00b2 But analysis of their own reports over recent decades indicates a major slowdown in that growth rate globally.\u00b2\u00b2 While annual reports still show small percentage increases 6, the rate of increase has decelerated considerably compared to previous eras.\u00b2\u2074 Some observers suggest that recent minor upticks in reported growth might be linked to internal organizational changes, such as making it easier for former members to be reinstated, rather than solely reflecting new conversions.\u00b2\u2074 The narrative often presented internally, suggesting God is continually \"speeding up the work\" as a sign of blessing 24, appears challenged by these long-term trends. Growth seems to be more concentrated in developing regions, particularly parts of Africa and South America, compared to North America and Europe.\u00b9\u2075<\/p>\n

\u041f\u043e\u0447\u0435\u043c\u0443 \u043e\u043d\u0438 \u043d\u0430\u0441\u0442\u0430\u0438\u0432\u0430\u044e\u0442 \u043d\u0430 \u0438\u0441\u043f\u043e\u043b\u044c\u0437\u043e\u0432\u0430\u043d\u0438\u0438 \u0438\u043c\u0435\u043d\u0438 \u00ab\u0418\u0435\u0433\u043e\u0432\u0430\u00bb \u0438 \u0438\u043c\u0435\u044e\u0442 \u0441\u0432\u043e\u0439 \u0441\u043e\u0431\u0441\u0442\u0432\u0435\u043d\u043d\u044b\u0439 \u043f\u0435\u0440\u0435\u0432\u043e\u0434 \u0411\u0438\u0431\u043b\u0438\u0438 (\u00ab\u041f\u0435\u0440\u0435\u0432\u043e\u0434 \u043d\u043e\u0432\u043e\u0433\u043e \u043c\u0438\u0440\u0430\u00bb)?<\/h2>\n

The use of the name \"Jehovah\" and their specific Bible translation, the New World Translation (NWT), are defining characteristics of Jehovah's Witnesses, tied directly to their core beliefs.<\/p>\n

The Importance of \"Jehovah\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

As mentioned, Jehovah's Witnesses believe \"Jehovah\" is God's unique, personal name, derived from the Hebrew tetragrammaton YHWH found thousands of times in the Old Testament.\u00b9 They feel it's crucial to use and honor this name, believing that salvation itself is linked to calling upon it (referencing Romans 10:13, where they insert \"Jehovah\" for \"Lord\").\u00b2\u2079 They argue that most other Bible translations have wrongly removed God's personal name, replacing it with titles like \"LORD\" or \"God,\" thereby obscuring an essential aspect of knowing and worshipping Him.\u00b3 They often point to Psalm 83:18 as evidence that God wants His name, Jehovah, to be known.\u00b3 While acknowledging scholarly debate about the exact pronunciation (with many favoring \"Yahweh\"), they prefer \"Jehovah\" due to its long history and recognizability in English.\u00b2\u2079 The strong emphasis on this specific name serves not only as doctrine but also creates a clear identity marker, distinguishing them from other religious groups who more commonly use \"Lord\" or \"God\" when referencing the God of the Old Testament.\u00b3<\/p>\n

\u00ab\u041f\u0435\u0440\u0435\u0432\u043e\u0434 \u043d\u043e\u0432\u043e\u0433\u043e \u043c\u0438\u0440\u0430\u00bb (\u041f\u041d\u041c)<\/strong><\/p>\n

To ensure the prominence of the name \"Jehovah\" and reflect their theological understanding, Jehovah's Witnesses produced and primarily use their own Bible translation, the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (NWT).\u00b3 Their main justification for the NWT is the belief that it faithfully restores the divine name \"Jehovah\" not only in the Old Testament but also in the New Testament.\u00b3 They have inserted \"Jehovah\" 237 times into their New Testament translation, believing it was present in the original writings or should logically be there based on Old Testament quotations, even though existing Greek manuscripts do not contain the tetragrammaton.\u00b3 They view other translations that omit the name in these places as less accurate or even disrespectful to God.\u00b3 This commitment to the use of the divine name extends to their evangelism, where they emphasize the importance of calling God by \u201cJehovah.\u201d Furthermore, Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses argue that their translation reinforces their distinct beliefs and practices, setting them apart from mainstream Christianity. Through the \u00ab\u041f\u0435\u0440\u0435\u0432\u043e\u0434 \u043d\u043e\u0432\u043e\u0433\u043e \u043c\u0438\u0440\u0430\u00bb \u0421\u0432\u0438\u0434\u0435\u0442\u0435\u043b\u0435\u0439 \u0418\u0435\u0433\u043e\u0432\u044b<\/a>, \u043e\u043d\u0438 \u0441\u0442\u0440\u0435\u043c\u044f\u0442\u0441\u044f \u043f\u0440\u043e\u0434\u0432\u0438\u0433\u0430\u0442\u044c \u0441\u0432\u043e\u0435 \u043f\u043e\u043d\u0438\u043c\u0430\u043d\u0438\u0435 \u041f\u0438\u0441\u0430\u043d\u0438\u044f \u043a\u0430\u043a \u0441\u043e\u043e\u0442\u0432\u0435\u0442\u0441\u0442\u0432\u0443\u044e\u0449\u0435\u0435 \u0438\u0445 \u0438\u043d\u0442\u0435\u0440\u043f\u0440\u0435\u0442\u0430\u0446\u0438\u0438 \u0411\u043e\u0436\u044c\u0435\u0433\u043e \u0437\u0430\u043c\u044b\u0441\u043b\u0430 \u0434\u043b\u044f \u0447\u0435\u043b\u043e\u0432\u0435\u0447\u0435\u0441\u0442\u0432\u0430. \u041d\u0430\u043f\u0440\u043e\u0442\u0438\u0432, \u043f\u0440\u0438\u0432\u0435\u0440\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0446\u044b \u0434\u0440\u0443\u0433\u0438\u0445 \u0445\u0440\u0438\u0441\u0442\u0438\u0430\u043d\u0441\u043a\u0438\u0445 \u0434\u0435\u043d\u043e\u043c\u0438\u043d\u0430\u0446\u0438\u0439 \u0447\u0430\u0441\u0442\u043e \u043f\u043e\u043b\u0430\u0433\u0430\u044e\u0442\u0441\u044f \u043d\u0430 \u0442\u0440\u0430\u0434\u0438\u0446\u0438\u043e\u043d\u043d\u044b\u0435 \u043f\u0435\u0440\u0435\u0432\u043e\u0434\u044b, \u0442\u0430\u043a\u0438\u0435 \u043a\u0430\u043a \u0411\u0438\u0431\u043b\u0438\u044f \u043a\u043e\u0440\u043e\u043b\u044f \u042f\u043a\u043e\u0432\u0430, \u043a\u043e\u0442\u043e\u0440\u0430\u044f \u0448\u0438\u0440\u043e\u043a\u043e \u043f\u0440\u0438\u0437\u043d\u0430\u043d\u0430 \u043d\u0430 \u043f\u0440\u043e\u0442\u044f\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0438 \u0432\u0435\u043a\u043e\u0432. \u0410 \u041e\u0431\u0437\u043e\u0440 \u0411\u0438\u0431\u043b\u0438\u0438 \u043a\u043e\u0440\u043e\u043b\u044f \u042f\u043a\u043e\u0432\u0430<\/a> \u043f\u043e\u0434\u0447\u0435\u0440\u043a\u0438\u0432\u0430\u0435\u0442 \u0435\u0435 \u043f\u043e\u044d\u0442\u0438\u0447\u0435\u0441\u043a\u0438\u0439 \u044f\u0437\u044b\u043a \u0438 \u0438\u0441\u0442\u043e\u0440\u0438\u0447\u0435\u0441\u043a\u043e\u0435 \u0437\u043d\u0430\u0447\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 \u0432 \u0444\u043e\u0440\u043c\u0438\u0440\u043e\u0432\u0430\u043d\u0438\u0438 \u0445\u0440\u0438\u0441\u0442\u0438\u0430\u043d\u0441\u043a\u043e\u0439 \u0434\u043e\u043a\u0442\u0440\u0438\u043d\u044b, \u0435\u0449\u0435 \u0431\u043e\u043b\u044c\u0448\u0435 \u043f\u043e\u0434\u0447\u0435\u0440\u043a\u0438\u0432\u0430\u044f \u0440\u0430\u0437\u043b\u0438\u0447\u0438\u044f \u0432 \u0438\u043d\u0442\u0435\u0440\u043f\u0440\u0435\u0442\u0430\u0446\u0438\u0438, \u0441\u0443\u0449\u0435\u0441\u0442\u0432\u0443\u044e\u0449\u0438\u0435 \u043c\u0435\u0436\u0434\u0443 \u0440\u0430\u0437\u043b\u0438\u0447\u043d\u044b\u043c\u0438 \u0433\u0440\u0443\u043f\u043f\u0430\u043c\u0438. \u042d\u0442\u043e \u0440\u0430\u0441\u0445\u043e\u0436\u0434\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 \u0438\u043b\u043b\u044e\u0441\u0442\u0440\u0438\u0440\u0443\u0435\u0442, \u043a\u0430\u043a \u0432\u044b\u0431\u043e\u0440 \u043f\u0435\u0440\u0435\u0432\u043e\u0434\u0430 \u043c\u043e\u0436\u0435\u0442 \u0432\u043b\u0438\u044f\u0442\u044c \u043d\u0430 \u0431\u043e\u0433\u043e\u0441\u043b\u043e\u0432\u0441\u043a\u0438\u0435 \u0432\u0437\u0433\u043b\u044f\u0434\u044b \u0438 \u0438\u0434\u0435\u043d\u0442\u0438\u0447\u043d\u043e\u0441\u0442\u044c \u0441\u043e\u043e\u0431\u0449\u0435\u0441\u0442\u0432\u0430 \u0432\u043d\u0443\u0442\u0440\u0438 \u0445\u0440\u0438\u0441\u0442\u0438\u0430\u043d\u0441\u0442\u0432\u0430.<\/p>\n

\u041a\u0440\u0438\u0442\u0438\u043a\u0430 \u041f\u041d\u041c<\/strong><\/p>\n

The NWT has faced major criticism from biblical scholars and theologians outside the Jehovah's Witnesses community.\u00b2\u2076 Critics argue that the translation choices often appear biased to support pre-existing Jehovah's Witness doctrines, particularly those related to the nature of Christ and the Trinity.\u00b2\u2076 Key points of criticism include:<\/p>\n