Beliefs:
The name Jehovah comes from the Bible. They believe that, when translated into English, the name of God as it is written in the Bible becomes Jehovah. The Church is an attempt to recreate the Christianity that existed in the first century, before the establishment of official churches. Jehovah's witnesses believe in a literal interpretation of the words of the Bible. People are saved through God's grace and through faith.

One belief that many Jehovah's Witnesses are known for is their refusal of blood transfusions. Since many of the beliefs that Jehovah's Witnesses share come literally from the Bible, this group claims that Jesus did not approve of the mixing of blood. Overall Jehovah's Witnesses are considered conservative and do not believe in abortion, homosexuality and premarital sex. They also do not observe Birthdays, Thanksgiving or Christmas, since they consider these Pagan holidays and unchristian.

History:
In the early 1870s, a small Bible group began to form in Pennsylvania. As the group expanded, they began to publish a journal called The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom and named themselves the International Bible Students. The group eventually changed their name to Jehovah's Witnesses in 1931.

Today:
Approximately six million people call themselves Jehovah's Witnesses. The bulk of the Church is made up of publishers and pioneers, members who come from both genders and all age groups. They are responsible for traveling throughout their communities, usually going door to door and sharing their Bible.

The headquarters for the Jehovah's Witnesses is located in Brooklyn, New York. They are lead by a small Governing Body.

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