Context:

• Two individuals were killed and many injured in an explosion at a Jehovah’s Witnesses prayer convention near Kochi, Kerala. 

Who Are Jehovah’s Witnesses?

• Religious Beliefs:
  • Jehovah’s Witnesses are a Christian sect with distinctive beliefs.
  • They reject the Holy Trinity and believe in Jehovah as “the one true and Almighty God, the Creator”, who is “the God of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus”.
  • They see Jesus as the King of God’s Kingdom in heaven, but not as the Almighty God.
  • They base their faith solely on the Bible and avoid celebrating holidays like Christmas and Easter due to their pagan origins.
• Evangelical Activities:
  • Jehovah’s Witnesses are known for their door-to-door evangelism to spread their message.
    • Evangelism: The spreading of the Christian gospel by public preaching or personal witness.
  • They believe the end of the world is near, and God’s Kingdom will replace human governments.
  • The denomination has millions of followers worldwide.
• Origin: The sect originated in the 1870s with American pastor Charles Taze Russell.

Jehovah’s Witnesses in India

• Presence and History:
  • Jehovah’s Witnesses have been in India since 1905.
  • They established an office in 1926 in Bombay (now Mumbai) and obtained legal registration in 1978.
• Legal Status:
  • They enjoy legal protection under India’s constitution, which upholds the right to practice, profess, and propagate one’s faith.

News Source: The Indian Express