THAT reporter then interviewed a family who are Witnesses. The result? “My view of them changed from the moment I entered their home!” she wrote. “Maybe people don’t know them well enough, or maybe we are all simply too quick to judge. I know I was. And I found out I was wrong.”​—Cecilie Feyling, for Jydske Vestkysten.

On the basis of his dealings with Jehovah’s Witnesses on a professional level, a human resources consultant for a chain store in Europe found them to be honest workers. As a result, he sought to hire Witnesses.

Of course, Jehovah’s Witnesses are primarily known for their public ministry. They find that some people prefer not to discuss the Bible, while others enjoy a discussion. In fact, more than seven million people, in virtually every country, have a regular Bible study with the Witnesses, and some of these students later become Bible teachers themselves. In the United States, for example, a National Council of Churches report notes that of the 25 largest religions, Jehovah’s Witnesses are 1 of only 4 that have shown an increase.

Why are millions of people studying the Bible with the Witnesses? How are these studies conducted? Are students expected to become Witnesses themselves? At the very least, you are entitled to truthful answers. So do not listen to prejudicial hearsay, or rumor, but search for the facts. Says the Bible at Proverbs 14:15: “A simple man believes every word he hears; a clever man understands the need for proof.”​—The New English Bible.

May this issue of Awake! help you to understand Jehovah’s Witnesses more fully and accurately. Indeed, the very fact that you are reading this magazine suggests that you have an open and fair mind. So why not do this: As you read the next four articles and the accompanying boxes, look up the cited scriptures in your own Bible.a Doing so is both wise and, as the Bible says, “noble-minded.”​—Acts 17:11.

France “Jehovah’s Witnesses are citizens who respect the laws of the Republic. . . . They are no threat to public order. They work, pay taxes, participate in the economic development of our country and make gifts to charities. The blend of these people from all different races and origins, meeting together in peace, is a pleasure to see. . . . If everyone were one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, we policemen would be out of work.”​—Spokesman for a French police union.

Ukraine “Jehovah’s Witnesses inculcate in their children high moral principles. They teach their children to avoid behavior, actions and even attitudes that, [while] considered in today’s world as normal, can be harmful to the children themselves and others. Therefore they warn their children about the dangers of using drugs, smoking and the abuse of alcohol. They recognize the importance of honesty and hard work. . . . Jehovah’s Witnesses teach their children moral qualities, to respect the authorities, other individuals and their property and to be law abiding citizens.”​—The History of Religion in Ukraine, edited by Professor Petro Yarotskyi.

Italy “Thirty thousand at the Olympic Stadium in silence . . . No litter, no noise, no shouting. That was the scene in the Olympic Stadium yesterday . . . No unseemly gesturing, not a cigarette, not a [beverage] can. Only open Bibles, people taking notes, and children sitting quietly.”​—L’Unità, reporting on a convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Rome.

Britain “The Archdeacon of Cheltenham said [the Church of England] needed bands of dedicated people going around like the Jehovah’s Witnesses.”​—The Gazette, Gloucester Diocese.

The Netherlands The neighbors near the Kingdom Hall in the city of Leeuwarden presented the Witnesses there with a letter that stated: “We would like to compliment you on your excellent influence on the appearance of the Noorderweg [Noorder Road]. Your members are always well dressed, and they have very good manners. The children are well behaved, the adults never park their cars illegally, they throw no litter in the street, and the land around the Kingdom Hall is always clean and neat. We hope that you will continue to be our neighbors for a long time, for we are very happy to have you.”

Mexico Elio Masferrer, professor and researcher at the National School of Anthropology and History, said that the Witnesses helped people who had “suffered severe family crises, such as rape, family abuse, alcoholism, and drug addiction.” The teachings of the Witnesses, he said, “give dignity to people who have had feelings of low self-worth” and make it possible for them to “live without major problems by doing things that please God.”​—Excélsior newspaper.

Brazil A newspaper reported: “Jehovah’s Witnesses’ organization is really impressive. The places where they gather are always clean. Everything is very well organized . . . When their events finish, the venue is cleaner than they found it. During the talks, there is absolute silence. Nobody pushes or bumps against others. Good manners prevail. . . . It is indeed an orderly religion. They know what worshipping God means.”​—Comércio da Franca.

Jehovah’s Witnesses firmly believe that the Creator knows better than anyone else the principles that his human creation should live by. (Isaiah 48:17, 18) Hence, the Witnesses give him the credit when their conduct elicits positive remarks from others. Jesus said: “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your fine works and give glory to your Father who is in the heavens.”​—Matthew 5:16.

The Witnesses believe that “all Scripture is inspired of God.” (2 Timothy 3:16) Jason D. BeDuhn, an associate professor of religious studies, wrote: “[Jehovah’s Witnesses built] their system of belief and practice from the raw material of the Bible without predetermining what was to be found there.” They align their beliefs with the Bible; they do not interpret it to suit themselves. At the same time, they recognize that not everything in the Bible is to be taken literally. The seven days of creation, for example, are symbolic, referring to extended periods of time.​—Genesis 1:31; 2:4.

The true God has given himself a personal name​—Jehovah (or Yahweh, as used in the Roman Catholic Jerusalem Bible and preferred by some modern-day scholars)—​that distinguishes him from false gods.a (Psalm 83:18) The Hebrew form of the divine name appears some 7,000 times in the original text of the Scriptures. Stressing the importance of that name, Jesus said in his model prayer: “Hallowed be thy name.” (Matthew 6:9, King James Version) God rightly demands exclusive devotion. Hence, the Witnesses use no icons or images in their worship.​—1 John 5:21.

He is the Savior, “the Son of God,” and “the firstborn of all creation.” (John 1:34; Colossians 1:15; Acts 5:31) As a created being, he is not part of a Trinity. “The Father is greater than I am,” said Jesus. (John 14:28) Jesus lived in heaven before coming to earth, and after his sacrificial death and resurrection, he returned to heaven. “No one comes to the Father except through [him].”​—John 14:6.

This is an actual heavenly government with a King​—Jesus Christ—​and 144,000 corulers, who are “bought from the earth.” (Revelation 5:9, 10; 14:1, 3, 4; Daniel 2:44; 7:13, 14) They will rule over the earth, which will be cleansed of all wickedness and will be inhabited by many millions of God-fearing humans.​—Proverbs 2:21, 22.

Ecclesiastes 1:4 states: “The earth endures for ever.” (The New English Bible) After the destruction of the wicked, the earth will be made into a paradise and populated forever by righteous humans. (Psalm 37:10, 11, 29) Jesus’ words in prayer “thy will be done in earth” will thus be fulfilled.​—Matthew 6:10, King James Version.

“God . . . cannot lie.” (Titus 1:2) Hence, what he foretells always comes true, including the Bible prophecies concerning the end of the present world. (Isaiah 55:11; Matthew 24:3-14) Who will survive the coming destruction? “He that does the will of God remains forever,” says 1 John 2:17.

“Pay back Caesar’s things to Caesar, but God’s things to God,” said Jesus. (Mark 12:17) Accordingly, Jehovah’s Witnesses obey the laws of the land when these do not conflict with God’s laws.​—Acts 5:29; Romans 13:1-3.

Jesus foretold: “This good news of the kingdom” will be proclaimed earth wide before the end of the present world. (Matthew 24:14) Jehovah’s Witnesses consider it an honor to share in that lifesaving work. Of course, whether people listen or not is their own choice. The Bible says: “Let anyone that wishes take life’s water free.”​—Revelation 22:17.

Jehovah’s Witnesses baptize only those who, on the basis of a thorough study of the Bible, want to serve God as one of his Witnesses. (Hebrews 12:1) These symbolize their personal dedication to God by water immersion.​—Matthew 3:13, 16; 28:19.

“All you are brothers,” said Jesus to his followers. (Matthew 23:8) The early Christians, including the Bible writers, had no clergy class. This Biblical pattern is the one that Jehovah’s Witnesses follow.

Many people are simply misinformed. Others may not appreciate the Witnesses’ evangelizing work. The fact is, however, that the Witnesses do this work out of love for neighbor, knowing that “everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.”​—Romans 10:13.

Jehovah’s Witnesses are Christians, but they are not Protestants for the same reason that they are not Catholics​—they recognize certain teachings of those religions as unscriptural. For example, the Bible does not teach that God​—the very personification of love—​tortures people forever in a fiery hell. Nor does it teach that humans have an immortal soul or that Christians should meddle in politics.​—Ezekiel 18:4; John 15:19; 17:14; Romans 6:23.a

“Fundamentalism is a broad movement within Protestantism in the United States,” says The World Book Encyclopedia. Some Fundamentalist organizations “have adopted social and political positions based on a literal use of Biblical texts.” That definition does not fit Jehovah’s Witnesses. As mentioned, they abstain from politics and do not impose their views on others by political or any other means. Rather, they converse with people, usually one-on-one, using reason and convincing evidence, in imitation of the early Christians.​—Acts 19:8.

A sect is a dissenting group within a religious community or one that breaks away to form a new religion. Jehovah’s Witnesses have not broken away from any church. They are not a sect.

Their meetings, which are open to the public, are essentially Bible studies, often allowing for audience participation. One of their weekly meetings, the Theocratic Ministry School, helps congregation members develop teaching, reading, and research skills. Another is a 30-minute Bible discourse on a topic that may be of special interest to non-Witnesses. It is normally followed by a study of the Bible by means of the Watchtower magazine. Meetings begin and end with song and prayer, and there is no solicitation of funds or passing of a collection plate.​—2 Corinthians 8:12.

Their work is financed by voluntary contributions. The Witnesses do not charge for performing baptisms, weddings, funerals, or any other religious service. Nor do they tithe. Anyone who wants to make a donation can do so by placing it in a discreetly located contribution box in the Kingdom Hall. Jehovah’s Witnesses produce the Bible literature they use, which keeps costs down, and their modest Kingdom Halls and branch facilities are mostly constructed by volunteers.

Yes. In fact, they seek the best possible care for themselves and their loved ones. Moreover, many Witnesses work in the medical field as nurses, paramedics, doctors, and surgeons. However, Jehovah’s Witnesses refuse blood transfusions. ‘Abstain from blood,’ the Bible states. (Acts 15:28, 29) Interestingly, a growing number of physicians view nonblood medical care as the “gold standard,” for through it the many health risks associated with the use of blood products are avoided.