Indiana Kingdom
Halls of Jehovah's
Witnesses in:
Halls of Jehovah's
Witnesses in:
| Studies show us that the more sexually repressed the religion, the more child sexual abuse occurs among its members. Phillip Garrido, for example, who kidnapped Jaycee Dugard and held her as a sex slave for 18 years, was a Jehovah Witness minister. Police were only alerted when he tried to take the babies that he fathered with Jaycee onto a University campus to preach and distribute Watchtower magazines. Do you want these people on your private property, knocking on your door, talking to your children? |
| Even especially prominent JW Representatives, like Robert Edinger, of Bedford (Mitchell Kingdom Hall), for example, repeatedly intoxicated his son with alcohol at the age of 14 or younger, following years of stripping him and beating him. That son survived, however, earned a PHD in Religion at the University of Southern California, and is now fighting back, especially because my father is taking advantage of the fact that my mom has Alzheimer's and cannot express her wishes clearly. After a lifetime of being an attentive son to my mother, now, when she has Alzheimer's and can no longer defend her wishes, my father capitalizes on this and keeps me away from her, because I am not a JW. I have come to realize now, at the age of 54, that child abuse among Jehovah's Witnesses lasts a lifetime. And this web site represents the expression of a lot of hostility over a lot of stupidity of those in power in this organization with their proud egos, not even taking into consideration the consequences of these failed policies that tear families apart, if not sooner, then later. Many family members of JWs suffer, and we need solidarity in order to face these challenges. |
| Adult Survivors of Jehovah Witness Child Abuse |
| Jehovah Witnesses invade private property with no permission of any kind, by surprise, sometimes when you are not at home. Often, they solicit home bible studies with children. Sometimes, they come to visit when you are away from your home and unable to protect your family. They have all of Bloomington, Bedford, and Mitchell, Indiana mapped out into territories for door-to-door canvassing, hoping to be invited to a return visit. The law does nothing to stop this invasion of your private property, since it is considered to be within their 1st amendment rights to solicit our conversions. The only recourse that you have is to notify them that you do not want to be called on and then they will put you on their Do Not Call list. Inform them that Jehovah Witnesses are not allowed on your property. Only by having notified them will you be able to put legal force behind your no trespassing sign. We urge you to do this as soon as possible. Protect your children! Tell the Jehovah Witness representatives listed on the right, or the number in your local phone book, that under no circumstances do you want them to call at your home! |
| We, those of us who had this fearsome and violent ideology thrust upon us in our infancy, we are the principal victims of this fossilized, anachronistic, destructive, and dangerous philosophy of idolatry of self that the JWs try to force with violence upon silent lambs. The Jehovah's Witnesses organization is built on fear, not truth, fear of the almighty warrior god Jehovah, fear of the end of the world, fear of one's neighbors or classmates, or most of all, displeasing the elders, being spied upon, the threat of being outcast and unable to even socialize with one's own mother. Much worse, however, is that they go door-to-door trying to scare us, bothering us when we are trying to enjoy a family meal or getting ready for work. They want you to be afraid as well, so that you will donate to their cause. |
| If you do not like this page or think that it is inappropriate, please contact the following people. Bloomington: Martin Boling, 2506 S. Milton Drive, 47403 (812) 339-8638 (812) 332-6184 Bedford: Faith Spicer, 3609 River Bluff (812) 275-2987 Tell Faith How You Feel: Mitchell: Steven C. Steuer 245 Riverview Addition Bedford, IN 47421-8286 (812) 849-3739 Please leave message! |
| If you have any information about child sexual abuse among Jehovah Witnesses, it is your legal duty to report it to your local law enforcement agency. Please report it to us as well at: info@jwchildabuse.com |
| We are dedicated to helping protect Jehovah Witness children from sexual abuse and to fight against the cover up of sexual abuse. We are investigating a particularly egregious case that has been reported to us involving three local congregations of Jehovah Witnesses in Bloomington, Bedford, and Mitchell, Indiana. Please help to inform the ministers (elders) of these congregations that they have a legal duty to report child sexual abuse to local law enforcement agencies! |
| We wish to thank all of the Christian churches and other non-profit organizations in Indiana and elsewhere that are helping with our campaign. |
The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania is a non-stock, not-for-profit organization[1] headquartered in the New York City
borough of Brooklyn, United States. It is the main legal entity used worldwide by Jehovah's Witnesses to direct, administer and develop
doctrines for the religion and is often referred to by members of the religion simply as "the Society". It is the parent organization of a number
of Watch Tower subsidiaries, including the Watchtower Society of New York and International Bible Students Association.[2] Membership of
the society is limited to between 300 and 500 "mature, active and faithful" male Jehovah's Witnesses.[3] About 5800 Jehovah's Witnesses
provide voluntary unpaid labour, as members of a religious order, in three large Watch Tower Society facilities in New York;[4] nearly 15,000
other members of the order work at the Watch Tower Society's other facilities worldwide.[5][6][4]
The organization was formed in 1881,[1] as Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society, for the purpose of distributing religious tracts. The society
was incorporated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on December 15, 1884. In 1896, the society was renamed Watch Tower Bible and Tract
Society.[7] Following a leadership dispute in the Bible Student movement, the Watch Tower Society remained associated with the branch of
the movement that became known as Jehovah's Witnesses. In 1955, the corporation was renamed Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of
Pennsylvania.[8] In 1976, all activities of the Watch Tower Society were brought under the supervision of the Governing Body of Jehovah's
Witnesses.[9]
On February 16, 1881 Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society was formed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, for the purpose of
organizing the printing and distribution of religious tracts. William Henry Conley, a Pittsburgh industrialist and philanthropist, served as
president, with Charles Taze Russell serving as secretary-treasurer.[10] The society's primary journal was Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of
Christs Presence, first published in 1879 by Russell,[11] founder of the Bible Student movement.[12] Other early writers for the Watch Tower
Society included J. H Paton and W. I. Mann.[10][13] Formation of the society was announced in the April 1881 issue of Zion's Watch Tower.
[14] That year, the society received donations of $35,391.18.[15]
On December 15, 1884, the society was incorporated as Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society in Pennsylvania as a non-profit, non-stock
corporation with Russell as president. The corporation was located in Allegheny, Pennsylvania. In its charter, written by Russell, the society's
purpose was stated as "the mental, moral and religious improvement of men and women, by teaching the Bible by means of the publication
and distribution of Bibles, books, papers, pamphlets and other Bible literature, and by providing oral lectures free for the people".[16] The
charter provided for a board of seven directors, three of who served as officers—a president, vice-president (initially William I. Mann) and
secretary-treasurer (initially Maria Russell). The charter stipulated that the officers be chosen from the directors and be elected annually by
ballot. Board members would hold office for life unless removed by a two-thirds vote by shareholders. Vacancies on the board resulting from
death, resignation or removal would be filled by a majority vote of the remaining board members within 20 days; if such vacancies were not
filled within 30 days an appointment could be made by the president, with the appointments lasting only until the next annual corporation
meeting, when vacancies would be filled by election.[17]
Anyone subscribing to $10 or more of the society's Old Testament Tracts or donating $10 or more to the society was deemed a voting
member and entitled to one vote per $10 donated.[17] Russell indicated that despite having a board and shareholders, the society would be
directed by only two people—him and his wife Maria.[18] Russell said that as at December 1893 he and his wife owned 3705, or 58 percent,
of the 6383 voting shares, "and thus control the Society; and this was fully understood by the directors from the first. Their usefulness, it was
understood, would come to the front in the event of our death ... For this reason, also, formal elections were not held; because it would be a
mere farce, a deception, to call together voting shareholders from all over the world, at great expense, to find upon arrival that their coming
was useless, Sister Russell and myself having more than a majority over all that could gather. However, no one was hindered from attending
such elections." The influx of donations gradually diluted the proportion of the Russells' shares and in 1908 their voting shares constituted
less than half the total.[19][20] Russell emphasized the limitations of the corporation, explaining: "Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society is not a
'religious society' in the ordinary meaning of this term"[21] He also stated, "This is a business association merely ... It has no creed or
confession. It is merely a business convenience in disseminating the truth."[17] Incorporation of the society meant that it would outlive
Russell, so individuals who wished to bequeath their money or property to him would not have to alter their will if he died before they did.[22]
On September 19, 1896 the name of the corporation was changed to Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society.[23]
Charles Taze Russell
From 1908 Russell required the directors to write out resignations when they were appointed so Russell could dismiss them by simply filling
in the date.[19] In 1909 Russell instructed legal counsel Joseph Franklin Rutherford to determine whether the society's headquarters could
be moved to Brooklyn, New York.[24] Rutherford reported that because it had been established under Pennsylvania law, the corporation
could not be registered in New York state, but suggested that a new corporation be registered there to do the society's work. Rutherford
subsequently organized the formation of the People's Pulpit Association, which was incorporated on February 23, 1909,[25] and wrote the
charter, which gave the president—who would be elected for life at the first meeting—"absolute power and control" of its activities in New
York.[24] The society sold its buildings in Pittsburgh[26] and moved staff to its new base in Brooklyn. Although all New York property was
bought in the name of the New York corporation and all legal affairs of the society done in its name, Russell insisted on the continued use of
the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society name on all correspondence and publications.[24]
The move from Pennsylvania to New York occurred during court proceedings over the breakdown of Russells' marriage. His wife Maria had
been granted a "limited divorce" on March 4, 1908, but in 1909 returned to court in Pittsburgh to request an increase in alimony,[27] which
her former husband refused.[28] Authors Barbara Grizzuti Harrison and Edmond C. Gruss have claimed Russell's move to Brooklyn was
motivated by his desire to transfer from the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania courts. They claim he transferred all his assets to the Watch
Tower Society so he could declare himself bankrupt and avoid being jailed for failure to pay alimony.[27][29][30]
In 1914 the International Bible Students Association was incorporated in Britain to administer affairs in that country. Like the People's Pulpit
Association, it was subsidiary to the Pennsylvania parent organization and all work done through both subsidiaries was described as the
work of the Watch Tower Society. The Watchtower noted: "The editor of The Watchtower is the President of all three of these Societies. All
financial responsibility connected with the work proceeds from (the Pennsylvania corporation). From it the other Societies and all the
branches of the work receive their financial support ... we use sometimes the one name and sometimes the other in various parts of our work
– yet they all in the end mean the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, to which all donations should be made."[2]
[edit] Leadership dispute
Main article: Watch Tower Society presidency dispute (1917)
Russell died on October 31, 1916, in Pampa, Texas during a cross-country preaching trip. On January 6, 1917, board member and society
legal counsel Joseph Franklin Rutherford, aged 47, was elected president of the Watch Tower Society, unopposed, at the Pittsburgh
convention. Under his presidency, the role of the society underwent a major change.[31] By-laws passed by both the Pittsburgh convention
and the board of directors stated that the president would be the executive officer and general manager of the society, giving him full charge
of its affairs worldwide.[32]
Joseph Franklin Rutherford
By June, four of the seven Watch Tower Society directors—Robert H. Hirsh, Alfred I. Ritchie, Isaac F. Hoskins and James D. Wright—had
decided they had erred in endorsing Rutherford's expanded powers of management,[33] claiming Rutherford had become autocratic.[33] In
June Hirsch attempted to rescind the new by-laws and reclaim the powers of management from the president,[34] but Rutherford later
claimed he had by then detected a conspiracy among the directors to seize control of the society.[35] In July Rutherford gained a legal
opinion from a Philadelphia corporation lawyer that none of his opposers were legally directors of the society. On July 12, Rutherford filled
what he claimed were four vacancies on the board, appointing A. H. Macmillan and Pennsylvania Bible Students W. E. Spill, J. A. Bohnet and
George H. Fisher as directors.[36] Between August and November the society and the four ousted directors published a series of pamphlets,
with each side accusing the other of ambitious and reckless behavior. The former directors also claimed Rutherford had required all
headquarters workers to sign a petition supporting him and threatened dismissal for any who refused to sign.[37] The former directors left
the Brooklyn headquarters on August 8.[38] On January 5, 1918, Rutherford was returned to office.
In May 1918, Rutherford and seven other Watch Tower directors and officers were arrested on charges of sedition under the Espionage Act.
On June 21 they were sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment. Rutherford feared his opponents would gain control of the Society in his
absence, but on January 2, 1919 he learned he had been re-elected president at the Pittsburgh convention the day before.[39] However, by
mid-1919 about one in seven Bible Students had chosen to leave rather than accept Rutherford's leadership,[40] forming groups such as
The Standfast Movement, Paul Johnson Movement, Dawn Bible Students Association, Pastoral Bible Institute of Brooklyn, Elijah Voice
Movement and Eagle Society.[41]
Although formed as a "business convenience" with the purpose of publishing and distributing Bible-based literature and managing the funds
necessary for that task, the corporation from the 1920s began its transformation into the "religious society" Russell had insisted it was not,
introducing centralized control and regulation of Bible Student congregations worldwide.[42] In 1938 Rutherford introduced the term
"theocracy" to describe the hierarchical leadership of Jehovah's Witnesses, with Consolation explaining: "The Theocracy is at present
administered by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, of which Judge Rutherford is the president and general manager."[43] The
society appointed "zone servants" to supervise congregations and in a Watchtower article Rutherford declared the need for congregations
to "get in line" with the changed structure.[44][45]
[Nathan Homer Knorr
Frederick William Franz
Milton George Henschel
Don Alden Adams
Following Rutherford's death in 1942, Nathan H. Knorr became president of the Watch Tower Society, and subsequently introduced further
changes to the role of the society. At a series of talks given in Pittsburgh on September 30, 1944, coinciding with the society's annual
meeting, it was announced that changes would be made to the 1884 charter to bring it into "closer harmony with theocratic principles". The
amendments, most of which were passed unanimously,[46] significantly altered the terms of membership and stated for the first time that the
society's purposes included preaching about God's kingdom, acting as a servant and governing agency of Jehovah's Witnesses, and
sending missionaries and teachers for the public worship of God and Jesus Christ. The new charter, which took effect from January 1, 1945
included the following changes:
An altered and expanded explanation of article II, detailing the purpose of the society. This included the preaching of the gospel of God's
kingdom to all nations; to print and distribute Bibles and disseminate Bible truths with literature explaining Bible truths and prophecy
concerning the establishment of God's kingdom; to authorise and appoint agents, servants, employees, teachers evangelists, missionaries,
ministers and others "to go all the world publicly and from house to house to preach Bible truths to persons willing to listen by leaving with
such persons said literature and by conducting Bible studies thereon"; to improve people mentally and morally by instruction "on the Bible
and incidental scientific, historical and literary subjects"; to establish and maintain Bible schools and classes; to "teach, train, prepare and
equip men and women as ministers, missionaries, evangelists, preachers, teachers and instructors in the Bible and Bible literature, and for
public Christian worship of Almighty God and Jesus Christ" and "to arrange for and hold local and worldwide assemblies for such worship".
An amendment to article V, detailing the qualifications for membership of the society. Each donation of $10 to the society funds had formerly
entitled the contributor to one voting share; the amendment limited membership to "only men who are mature, active and faithful witnesses of
Jehovah devoting full time to performance of one or more of its chartered purposes ... or such men who are devoting part time as active
presiding ministers or servants of congregations of Jehovah's witnesses". The amended article stipulated that "a man who is found to be in
harmony with the purposes of the Society and who possesses the above qualifications may be elected as a member upon being nominated
by a member, director or officer, or upon written application to the President or Secretary. Such members shall be elected upon a finding by
the Board of Directors that he possesses the necessary qualifications and by receiving a majority vote of the members ... " The amendment
limited membership at any one time to between 300 and 500, including approximately seven residents of each of the 48 states of the US. It
also introduced a clause providing for the suspension or expulsion of a member for wilfully violating the society's rules, or "becoming out of
harmony with any of the Society's purposes or any of its work or for wilful conduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Society and contrary
to his duties as a member, or upon ceasing to be a full-time servant of the Society or a part-time servant of a congregation of Jehovah's
witnesses".
An amendment to article VII, dealing with the governance of the society by its board of directors. The amendment deleted reference to
adherence to the constitution and laws of Pennsylvania of the US. It also specified powers of the board including matters of finance and
property.
An amendment to article VIII, detailing the office holders of the society and the terms of office and method of appointment of officers and
directors. A clause stating that board members would hold office for life was deleted. The new clause provided for board membership for a
maximum of three years, with directors qualifying for re-election at the expiration of their term.[47]
The corporation is a major publisher of religious publications, including books, tracts, magazines and Bibles. By 1979, the society had 39
printing branches worldwide. In 1990 it was reported that in one year the society printed 696 million copies of its magazines, The Watchtower
and Awake! as well as another 35,811,000 pieces of literature worldwide, which are offered door-to-door by Jehovah's Witnesses.[49] As of
2012, the Society prints more than 41 million of its public issues of these magazines each month, totaling nearly 1 billion annually.
The society describes its headquarters and branch office staff as volunteers rather than employees,[4] and identifies them as members of
the Worldwide Order of Special Full-Time Servants of Jehovah's Witnesses.[5] Workers receive a small monthly stipend[50] with meals and
accommodation provided by the society. The "Bethel family" in the Brooklyn headquarters includes hairdressers, dentists, doctors,
housekeepers and carpenters, as well as shops for repairing personal appliances, watches, shoes and clothing without charge for labor.[51]
The society files no publicly accessible financial figures, but reported in 2011 that it had spent more than $173 million that year "in caring for
special pioneers, missionaries and traveling overseers in their field service assignments".[5][52] Donations obtained from the distribution of
literature is a major source of income, most of which is used to promote its evangelical activities.[53]
Author James Beckford has claimed the status of voting members of the society is purely symbolic. He said they cannot be considered to be
representatives of the mass of Jehovah's Witnesses and are in no position to challenge the actions or authority of the society's directors.[54]
[edit] Property ownership
[edit] United States
The corporation was first located at 44 Federal St, Allegheny, Pennsylvania (the city was annexed by Pittsburgh in 1907), but in 1889 moved
to "Bible House", newly-built premises at 56–60 Arch St, Allegheny, owned by Russell's privately-owned Tower Publishing Company. The
new building contained an assembly hall seating about 200, as well as editorial, printing and shipping facilities and living quarters for some
staff.[55] The title for the building was transferred in April 1898 to the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society.
In 1909 the society moved its base to Brooklyn. A four-story brownstone parsonage formerly owned by Congregationalist clergyman and
social reformer Henry Ward Beecher at 124 Columbia Heights was converted to a residence for a headquarters staff of 30, as well as an
office for Russell. A former Plymouth church building at 13–17 Hicks St was also purchased and converted into Watch Tower headquarters,
with room for 350 staff. It contained an 800-seat assembly hall, shipping department and printing facilities.[56] The Watch Tower announced:
"The new home we shall call 'Bethel,' and the new office and auditorium, 'The Brooklyn Tabernacle'; these names will supplant the term
'Bible House.'"[57] In October 1909 an adjoining building at 122 Columbia Heights was bought.[58] In 1911 a new nine-story residential block
was built at the rear of Bethel, fronting on Furman St and overlooking the Brooklyn waterfront.[56] The Brooklyn Tabernacle was sold in
1918 or 1919.[59]
Printing facilities were established in Myrtle St, Brooklyn in 1920 and from the February 1, 1920 issue The Watch Tower was printed by the
society at the plant. Two months later the plant began printing The Golden Age. In 1922 the printing factory was moved to a six-story
building at 18 Concord St, Brooklyn; four years later it moved again to larger premises, a new eight-story building at 117 Adams St,
Brooklyn, at which time the Bethel home was rebuilt and enlarged. In December 1926 a building at 126 Columbia Heights was bought and a
month later the three buildings from 122–126 Columbia Heights were demolished and rebuilt for accommodation and executive offices, using
the official address of 124 Columbia Heights.[58]
In 1946, property surrounding the Adams St factory was bought to expand printing operations (when completed in 1949 the factory occupied
an entire block bounded by Adams, Sands Pearl and Prospect Streets) and five more properties adjoining 124 Columbia Heights were
purchased for a 10-story building.[60][61] In the late 1950s a property at 107 Columbia Heights, across the road from 124 Columbia Heights,
was bought[62] and by 1960 a residential building for staff was constructed there.[63][64] More residences were built at 119 Columbia
Heights in 1969.[64]
The Watchtower detailed further expansion in the 1950s and 1960s: "In 1956 a 13-story building was constructed at 77 Sands St. Then just
across the street another (10-story building) was purchased in 1958. In 1968 an adjoining 11-story new printing factory was completed.
Along with the factory at 117 Adams Street, these fill out four city blocks of factories that are all tied together by overhead bridges. Then, in
November 1969, the Squibb complex, located a few blocks away, was purchased."[64]
The society bought the Towers Hotel at 79–99 Willow St in 1974 for accommodation[65] and the site of the former Margaret Hotel at 97
Columbia Heights about 1980[65] to erect an 11-story residential building.[66] In 1978 a property at 25 Columbia Heights underwent
renovation for use as offices[64] and in the early 1980s properties were bought at 175 Pearl St and 360 Furman St for factory and office use.
[67] A building at 360 Furman St was bought in March 1983 and renovated, providing almost 9 hectares of floor space[65] for shipping,
carpentry and construction.[68] A property at 90 Sands St was bought in December 1986 and a 30-story residential building[65] for 1000
workers was completed on the site in 1995. A 1996 publication listed other Watch Tower residential buildings in Brooklyn including the 12-
story Bossert Hotel at 98 Montague St (dedicated 1983), 34 Orange St (1945), Standish Arms Hotel at 169 Columbia Heights (1981), 67
Livingston St (1989), and 108 Joralemon St (1988).[65] A 1989 publication noted: "Altogether, the Brooklyn Bethel family now lives in about
20 residences in Brooklyn Heights, all within short walking distance of one another. In fact, the Towers, 124 Columbia Heights, 107 Columbia
Heights, and 119 Columbia Heights, which accommodate nearly 2000 of the family, are connected by underground tunnels."[69]
Two properties known as Watchtower Farms, at Wallkill, 160 km north of Brooklyn and totalling 1200 hectares, were bought in 1963 and
1967 and factories erected in 1973 and 1975.[64] In 1984 the society paid $2.1 million for a 270 hectare farm at Patterson, New York[70] for
a development that would include 624 apartments, garages for 800 cars and a 149-room hotel.[71] Other rural purchases included a 220
hectare farm near South Lansing, New York and a 60 hectare farm near Port Murray, New Jersey.[70]
In February 2009 the society paid $11.5 million for 100 hectares of land in Ramapo, Rockland County, New York for an administration and
residential complex.[72] The site was reported to be planned as a base for about 850 Watch Tower workers, creating a compound combining
residential and publishing facilities currently located in Brooklyn. A Witness spokesman said the land was currently zoned for residential
uses, but an application would be made to rezone it, adding that "Construction is several years in the future."[73]
A year later, the Society announced it planned to move its world headquarters from Brooklyn to a proposed eight-building complex, in
addition to the current four-building complex on a 100-hectare Watch Tower property in Warwick, New York, 1.5 km from its Ramapo site.[74]
[75] A Watch Tower presentation to Warwick planning authorities said the complex would house up to 850 people.[76][77] In August 2011, a
50-acre property was bought in Tuxedo, NY, with 184,000 square foot building, for $3.2 million, six miles from the Warwick site.[78][79]
In 2011 the Watch Tower Society was reported to still own 34 properties in Brooklyn;[4][88] a 2009 report calculated "a dozen or more"
properties in the Brooklyn area, including two large parking lots with a residential zoning.[73] In a 2010 news report the Watch Tower Society
said it was "not actively promoting" the sale of eight Brooklyn properties still on the market.[76] In September 2011, the Watch Tower Society
put five more of its Brooklyn properties on the market through a brokerage.[89][90] After selling two properties in Brooklyn in December
2011 and January 2012, the Watch Tower Society has seven of its remaining thirty-two Brooklyn properties for sale.[91
In 1900 the Watch Tower opened its first overseas branch office in Britain.[92] Germany followed in 1903[93] and Australia in 1904.[94] By
1979 the society had 39 printing branches throughout the world, with facilities transferred to farming properties in many countries including
Brazil, Sweden, Denmark, Canada and Australia.[95] In 2011, the Watch Tower Society had 98 branch offices worldwide reporting to New
York directly, other nations' offices report to large branches nearby.[96]
borough of Brooklyn, United States. It is the main legal entity used worldwide by Jehovah's Witnesses to direct, administer and develop
doctrines for the religion and is often referred to by members of the religion simply as "the Society". It is the parent organization of a number
of Watch Tower subsidiaries, including the Watchtower Society of New York and International Bible Students Association.[2] Membership of
the society is limited to between 300 and 500 "mature, active and faithful" male Jehovah's Witnesses.[3] About 5800 Jehovah's Witnesses
provide voluntary unpaid labour, as members of a religious order, in three large Watch Tower Society facilities in New York;[4] nearly 15,000
other members of the order work at the Watch Tower Society's other facilities worldwide.[5][6][4]
The organization was formed in 1881,[1] as Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society, for the purpose of distributing religious tracts. The society
was incorporated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on December 15, 1884. In 1896, the society was renamed Watch Tower Bible and Tract
Society.[7] Following a leadership dispute in the Bible Student movement, the Watch Tower Society remained associated with the branch of
the movement that became known as Jehovah's Witnesses. In 1955, the corporation was renamed Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of
Pennsylvania.[8] In 1976, all activities of the Watch Tower Society were brought under the supervision of the Governing Body of Jehovah's
Witnesses.[9]
On February 16, 1881 Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society was formed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, for the purpose of
organizing the printing and distribution of religious tracts. William Henry Conley, a Pittsburgh industrialist and philanthropist, served as
president, with Charles Taze Russell serving as secretary-treasurer.[10] The society's primary journal was Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of
Christs Presence, first published in 1879 by Russell,[11] founder of the Bible Student movement.[12] Other early writers for the Watch Tower
Society included J. H Paton and W. I. Mann.[10][13] Formation of the society was announced in the April 1881 issue of Zion's Watch Tower.
[14] That year, the society received donations of $35,391.18.[15]
On December 15, 1884, the society was incorporated as Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society in Pennsylvania as a non-profit, non-stock
corporation with Russell as president. The corporation was located in Allegheny, Pennsylvania. In its charter, written by Russell, the society's
purpose was stated as "the mental, moral and religious improvement of men and women, by teaching the Bible by means of the publication
and distribution of Bibles, books, papers, pamphlets and other Bible literature, and by providing oral lectures free for the people".[16] The
charter provided for a board of seven directors, three of who served as officers—a president, vice-president (initially William I. Mann) and
secretary-treasurer (initially Maria Russell). The charter stipulated that the officers be chosen from the directors and be elected annually by
ballot. Board members would hold office for life unless removed by a two-thirds vote by shareholders. Vacancies on the board resulting from
death, resignation or removal would be filled by a majority vote of the remaining board members within 20 days; if such vacancies were not
filled within 30 days an appointment could be made by the president, with the appointments lasting only until the next annual corporation
meeting, when vacancies would be filled by election.[17]
Anyone subscribing to $10 or more of the society's Old Testament Tracts or donating $10 or more to the society was deemed a voting
member and entitled to one vote per $10 donated.[17] Russell indicated that despite having a board and shareholders, the society would be
directed by only two people—him and his wife Maria.[18] Russell said that as at December 1893 he and his wife owned 3705, or 58 percent,
of the 6383 voting shares, "and thus control the Society; and this was fully understood by the directors from the first. Their usefulness, it was
understood, would come to the front in the event of our death ... For this reason, also, formal elections were not held; because it would be a
mere farce, a deception, to call together voting shareholders from all over the world, at great expense, to find upon arrival that their coming
was useless, Sister Russell and myself having more than a majority over all that could gather. However, no one was hindered from attending
such elections." The influx of donations gradually diluted the proportion of the Russells' shares and in 1908 their voting shares constituted
less than half the total.[19][20] Russell emphasized the limitations of the corporation, explaining: "Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society is not a
'religious society' in the ordinary meaning of this term"[21] He also stated, "This is a business association merely ... It has no creed or
confession. It is merely a business convenience in disseminating the truth."[17] Incorporation of the society meant that it would outlive
Russell, so individuals who wished to bequeath their money or property to him would not have to alter their will if he died before they did.[22]
On September 19, 1896 the name of the corporation was changed to Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society.[23]
Charles Taze Russell
From 1908 Russell required the directors to write out resignations when they were appointed so Russell could dismiss them by simply filling
in the date.[19] In 1909 Russell instructed legal counsel Joseph Franklin Rutherford to determine whether the society's headquarters could
be moved to Brooklyn, New York.[24] Rutherford reported that because it had been established under Pennsylvania law, the corporation
could not be registered in New York state, but suggested that a new corporation be registered there to do the society's work. Rutherford
subsequently organized the formation of the People's Pulpit Association, which was incorporated on February 23, 1909,[25] and wrote the
charter, which gave the president—who would be elected for life at the first meeting—"absolute power and control" of its activities in New
York.[24] The society sold its buildings in Pittsburgh[26] and moved staff to its new base in Brooklyn. Although all New York property was
bought in the name of the New York corporation and all legal affairs of the society done in its name, Russell insisted on the continued use of
the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society name on all correspondence and publications.[24]
The move from Pennsylvania to New York occurred during court proceedings over the breakdown of Russells' marriage. His wife Maria had
been granted a "limited divorce" on March 4, 1908, but in 1909 returned to court in Pittsburgh to request an increase in alimony,[27] which
her former husband refused.[28] Authors Barbara Grizzuti Harrison and Edmond C. Gruss have claimed Russell's move to Brooklyn was
motivated by his desire to transfer from the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania courts. They claim he transferred all his assets to the Watch
Tower Society so he could declare himself bankrupt and avoid being jailed for failure to pay alimony.[27][29][30]
In 1914 the International Bible Students Association was incorporated in Britain to administer affairs in that country. Like the People's Pulpit
Association, it was subsidiary to the Pennsylvania parent organization and all work done through both subsidiaries was described as the
work of the Watch Tower Society. The Watchtower noted: "The editor of The Watchtower is the President of all three of these Societies. All
financial responsibility connected with the work proceeds from (the Pennsylvania corporation). From it the other Societies and all the
branches of the work receive their financial support ... we use sometimes the one name and sometimes the other in various parts of our work
– yet they all in the end mean the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, to which all donations should be made."[2]
[edit] Leadership dispute
Main article: Watch Tower Society presidency dispute (1917)
Russell died on October 31, 1916, in Pampa, Texas during a cross-country preaching trip. On January 6, 1917, board member and society
legal counsel Joseph Franklin Rutherford, aged 47, was elected president of the Watch Tower Society, unopposed, at the Pittsburgh
convention. Under his presidency, the role of the society underwent a major change.[31] By-laws passed by both the Pittsburgh convention
and the board of directors stated that the president would be the executive officer and general manager of the society, giving him full charge
of its affairs worldwide.[32]
Joseph Franklin Rutherford
By June, four of the seven Watch Tower Society directors—Robert H. Hirsh, Alfred I. Ritchie, Isaac F. Hoskins and James D. Wright—had
decided they had erred in endorsing Rutherford's expanded powers of management,[33] claiming Rutherford had become autocratic.[33] In
June Hirsch attempted to rescind the new by-laws and reclaim the powers of management from the president,[34] but Rutherford later
claimed he had by then detected a conspiracy among the directors to seize control of the society.[35] In July Rutherford gained a legal
opinion from a Philadelphia corporation lawyer that none of his opposers were legally directors of the society. On July 12, Rutherford filled
what he claimed were four vacancies on the board, appointing A. H. Macmillan and Pennsylvania Bible Students W. E. Spill, J. A. Bohnet and
George H. Fisher as directors.[36] Between August and November the society and the four ousted directors published a series of pamphlets,
with each side accusing the other of ambitious and reckless behavior. The former directors also claimed Rutherford had required all
headquarters workers to sign a petition supporting him and threatened dismissal for any who refused to sign.[37] The former directors left
the Brooklyn headquarters on August 8.[38] On January 5, 1918, Rutherford was returned to office.
In May 1918, Rutherford and seven other Watch Tower directors and officers were arrested on charges of sedition under the Espionage Act.
On June 21 they were sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment. Rutherford feared his opponents would gain control of the Society in his
absence, but on January 2, 1919 he learned he had been re-elected president at the Pittsburgh convention the day before.[39] However, by
mid-1919 about one in seven Bible Students had chosen to leave rather than accept Rutherford's leadership,[40] forming groups such as
The Standfast Movement, Paul Johnson Movement, Dawn Bible Students Association, Pastoral Bible Institute of Brooklyn, Elijah Voice
Movement and Eagle Society.[41]
Although formed as a "business convenience" with the purpose of publishing and distributing Bible-based literature and managing the funds
necessary for that task, the corporation from the 1920s began its transformation into the "religious society" Russell had insisted it was not,
introducing centralized control and regulation of Bible Student congregations worldwide.[42] In 1938 Rutherford introduced the term
"theocracy" to describe the hierarchical leadership of Jehovah's Witnesses, with Consolation explaining: "The Theocracy is at present
administered by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, of which Judge Rutherford is the president and general manager."[43] The
society appointed "zone servants" to supervise congregations and in a Watchtower article Rutherford declared the need for congregations
to "get in line" with the changed structure.[44][45]
[Nathan Homer Knorr
Frederick William Franz
Milton George Henschel
Don Alden Adams
Following Rutherford's death in 1942, Nathan H. Knorr became president of the Watch Tower Society, and subsequently introduced further
changes to the role of the society. At a series of talks given in Pittsburgh on September 30, 1944, coinciding with the society's annual
meeting, it was announced that changes would be made to the 1884 charter to bring it into "closer harmony with theocratic principles". The
amendments, most of which were passed unanimously,[46] significantly altered the terms of membership and stated for the first time that the
society's purposes included preaching about God's kingdom, acting as a servant and governing agency of Jehovah's Witnesses, and
sending missionaries and teachers for the public worship of God and Jesus Christ. The new charter, which took effect from January 1, 1945
included the following changes:
An altered and expanded explanation of article II, detailing the purpose of the society. This included the preaching of the gospel of God's
kingdom to all nations; to print and distribute Bibles and disseminate Bible truths with literature explaining Bible truths and prophecy
concerning the establishment of God's kingdom; to authorise and appoint agents, servants, employees, teachers evangelists, missionaries,
ministers and others "to go all the world publicly and from house to house to preach Bible truths to persons willing to listen by leaving with
such persons said literature and by conducting Bible studies thereon"; to improve people mentally and morally by instruction "on the Bible
and incidental scientific, historical and literary subjects"; to establish and maintain Bible schools and classes; to "teach, train, prepare and
equip men and women as ministers, missionaries, evangelists, preachers, teachers and instructors in the Bible and Bible literature, and for
public Christian worship of Almighty God and Jesus Christ" and "to arrange for and hold local and worldwide assemblies for such worship".
An amendment to article V, detailing the qualifications for membership of the society. Each donation of $10 to the society funds had formerly
entitled the contributor to one voting share; the amendment limited membership to "only men who are mature, active and faithful witnesses of
Jehovah devoting full time to performance of one or more of its chartered purposes ... or such men who are devoting part time as active
presiding ministers or servants of congregations of Jehovah's witnesses". The amended article stipulated that "a man who is found to be in
harmony with the purposes of the Society and who possesses the above qualifications may be elected as a member upon being nominated
by a member, director or officer, or upon written application to the President or Secretary. Such members shall be elected upon a finding by
the Board of Directors that he possesses the necessary qualifications and by receiving a majority vote of the members ... " The amendment
limited membership at any one time to between 300 and 500, including approximately seven residents of each of the 48 states of the US. It
also introduced a clause providing for the suspension or expulsion of a member for wilfully violating the society's rules, or "becoming out of
harmony with any of the Society's purposes or any of its work or for wilful conduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Society and contrary
to his duties as a member, or upon ceasing to be a full-time servant of the Society or a part-time servant of a congregation of Jehovah's
witnesses".
An amendment to article VII, dealing with the governance of the society by its board of directors. The amendment deleted reference to
adherence to the constitution and laws of Pennsylvania of the US. It also specified powers of the board including matters of finance and
property.
An amendment to article VIII, detailing the office holders of the society and the terms of office and method of appointment of officers and
directors. A clause stating that board members would hold office for life was deleted. The new clause provided for board membership for a
maximum of three years, with directors qualifying for re-election at the expiration of their term.[47]
The corporation is a major publisher of religious publications, including books, tracts, magazines and Bibles. By 1979, the society had 39
printing branches worldwide. In 1990 it was reported that in one year the society printed 696 million copies of its magazines, The Watchtower
and Awake! as well as another 35,811,000 pieces of literature worldwide, which are offered door-to-door by Jehovah's Witnesses.[49] As of
2012, the Society prints more than 41 million of its public issues of these magazines each month, totaling nearly 1 billion annually.
The society describes its headquarters and branch office staff as volunteers rather than employees,[4] and identifies them as members of
the Worldwide Order of Special Full-Time Servants of Jehovah's Witnesses.[5] Workers receive a small monthly stipend[50] with meals and
accommodation provided by the society. The "Bethel family" in the Brooklyn headquarters includes hairdressers, dentists, doctors,
housekeepers and carpenters, as well as shops for repairing personal appliances, watches, shoes and clothing without charge for labor.[51]
The society files no publicly accessible financial figures, but reported in 2011 that it had spent more than $173 million that year "in caring for
special pioneers, missionaries and traveling overseers in their field service assignments".[5][52] Donations obtained from the distribution of
literature is a major source of income, most of which is used to promote its evangelical activities.[53]
Author James Beckford has claimed the status of voting members of the society is purely symbolic. He said they cannot be considered to be
representatives of the mass of Jehovah's Witnesses and are in no position to challenge the actions or authority of the society's directors.[54]
[edit] Property ownership
[edit] United States
The corporation was first located at 44 Federal St, Allegheny, Pennsylvania (the city was annexed by Pittsburgh in 1907), but in 1889 moved
to "Bible House", newly-built premises at 56–60 Arch St, Allegheny, owned by Russell's privately-owned Tower Publishing Company. The
new building contained an assembly hall seating about 200, as well as editorial, printing and shipping facilities and living quarters for some
staff.[55] The title for the building was transferred in April 1898 to the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society.
In 1909 the society moved its base to Brooklyn. A four-story brownstone parsonage formerly owned by Congregationalist clergyman and
social reformer Henry Ward Beecher at 124 Columbia Heights was converted to a residence for a headquarters staff of 30, as well as an
office for Russell. A former Plymouth church building at 13–17 Hicks St was also purchased and converted into Watch Tower headquarters,
with room for 350 staff. It contained an 800-seat assembly hall, shipping department and printing facilities.[56] The Watch Tower announced:
"The new home we shall call 'Bethel,' and the new office and auditorium, 'The Brooklyn Tabernacle'; these names will supplant the term
'Bible House.'"[57] In October 1909 an adjoining building at 122 Columbia Heights was bought.[58] In 1911 a new nine-story residential block
was built at the rear of Bethel, fronting on Furman St and overlooking the Brooklyn waterfront.[56] The Brooklyn Tabernacle was sold in
1918 or 1919.[59]
Printing facilities were established in Myrtle St, Brooklyn in 1920 and from the February 1, 1920 issue The Watch Tower was printed by the
society at the plant. Two months later the plant began printing The Golden Age. In 1922 the printing factory was moved to a six-story
building at 18 Concord St, Brooklyn; four years later it moved again to larger premises, a new eight-story building at 117 Adams St,
Brooklyn, at which time the Bethel home was rebuilt and enlarged. In December 1926 a building at 126 Columbia Heights was bought and a
month later the three buildings from 122–126 Columbia Heights were demolished and rebuilt for accommodation and executive offices, using
the official address of 124 Columbia Heights.[58]
In 1946, property surrounding the Adams St factory was bought to expand printing operations (when completed in 1949 the factory occupied
an entire block bounded by Adams, Sands Pearl and Prospect Streets) and five more properties adjoining 124 Columbia Heights were
purchased for a 10-story building.[60][61] In the late 1950s a property at 107 Columbia Heights, across the road from 124 Columbia Heights,
was bought[62] and by 1960 a residential building for staff was constructed there.[63][64] More residences were built at 119 Columbia
Heights in 1969.[64]
The Watchtower detailed further expansion in the 1950s and 1960s: "In 1956 a 13-story building was constructed at 77 Sands St. Then just
across the street another (10-story building) was purchased in 1958. In 1968 an adjoining 11-story new printing factory was completed.
Along with the factory at 117 Adams Street, these fill out four city blocks of factories that are all tied together by overhead bridges. Then, in
November 1969, the Squibb complex, located a few blocks away, was purchased."[64]
The society bought the Towers Hotel at 79–99 Willow St in 1974 for accommodation[65] and the site of the former Margaret Hotel at 97
Columbia Heights about 1980[65] to erect an 11-story residential building.[66] In 1978 a property at 25 Columbia Heights underwent
renovation for use as offices[64] and in the early 1980s properties were bought at 175 Pearl St and 360 Furman St for factory and office use.
[67] A building at 360 Furman St was bought in March 1983 and renovated, providing almost 9 hectares of floor space[65] for shipping,
carpentry and construction.[68] A property at 90 Sands St was bought in December 1986 and a 30-story residential building[65] for 1000
workers was completed on the site in 1995. A 1996 publication listed other Watch Tower residential buildings in Brooklyn including the 12-
story Bossert Hotel at 98 Montague St (dedicated 1983), 34 Orange St (1945), Standish Arms Hotel at 169 Columbia Heights (1981), 67
Livingston St (1989), and 108 Joralemon St (1988).[65] A 1989 publication noted: "Altogether, the Brooklyn Bethel family now lives in about
20 residences in Brooklyn Heights, all within short walking distance of one another. In fact, the Towers, 124 Columbia Heights, 107 Columbia
Heights, and 119 Columbia Heights, which accommodate nearly 2000 of the family, are connected by underground tunnels."[69]
Two properties known as Watchtower Farms, at Wallkill, 160 km north of Brooklyn and totalling 1200 hectares, were bought in 1963 and
1967 and factories erected in 1973 and 1975.[64] In 1984 the society paid $2.1 million for a 270 hectare farm at Patterson, New York[70] for
a development that would include 624 apartments, garages for 800 cars and a 149-room hotel.[71] Other rural purchases included a 220
hectare farm near South Lansing, New York and a 60 hectare farm near Port Murray, New Jersey.[70]
In February 2009 the society paid $11.5 million for 100 hectares of land in Ramapo, Rockland County, New York for an administration and
residential complex.[72] The site was reported to be planned as a base for about 850 Watch Tower workers, creating a compound combining
residential and publishing facilities currently located in Brooklyn. A Witness spokesman said the land was currently zoned for residential
uses, but an application would be made to rezone it, adding that "Construction is several years in the future."[73]
A year later, the Society announced it planned to move its world headquarters from Brooklyn to a proposed eight-building complex, in
addition to the current four-building complex on a 100-hectare Watch Tower property in Warwick, New York, 1.5 km from its Ramapo site.[74]
[75] A Watch Tower presentation to Warwick planning authorities said the complex would house up to 850 people.[76][77] In August 2011, a
50-acre property was bought in Tuxedo, NY, with 184,000 square foot building, for $3.2 million, six miles from the Warwick site.[78][79]
In 2011 the Watch Tower Society was reported to still own 34 properties in Brooklyn;[4][88] a 2009 report calculated "a dozen or more"
properties in the Brooklyn area, including two large parking lots with a residential zoning.[73] In a 2010 news report the Watch Tower Society
said it was "not actively promoting" the sale of eight Brooklyn properties still on the market.[76] In September 2011, the Watch Tower Society
put five more of its Brooklyn properties on the market through a brokerage.[89][90] After selling two properties in Brooklyn in December
2011 and January 2012, the Watch Tower Society has seven of its remaining thirty-two Brooklyn properties for sale.[91
In 1900 the Watch Tower opened its first overseas branch office in Britain.[92] Germany followed in 1903[93] and Australia in 1904.[94] By
1979 the society had 39 printing branches throughout the world, with facilities transferred to farming properties in many countries including
Brazil, Sweden, Denmark, Canada and Australia.[95] In 2011, the Watch Tower Society had 98 branch offices worldwide reporting to New
York directly, other nations' offices report to large branches nearby.[96]
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