New Zealand Cults, Sects, Religions, Christian Organisations, and other groups.

Jehovah's Witnesses

Other Main Names:

Charles Taze Russell (founder)

Overview

This group is strongly cultic, in both doctrine and mind control practices. No questioning of authority is allowed - a blind faith in the Watchtower is expected. They believe in salvation by works, which basically means they have to go door-knocking on Saturdays.

The founder warned members (repeated by the Watchtower in 1981) not to read the Bible exclusively or readers would revert back to orthodox Christian beliefs quite quickly. To prevent this, the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society publishes huge amounts of literature which is compulsory reading for members. (It's also a huge money-spinner for the Watchtower.)

There are numerous contradictions in this literature. For example, one scholar found at least 148 changes of official Watchtower doctrine during the eleven years following 1917.