A

Abaddon  noun  1.  Jesus Christ, the angel of the bottomless pit in Revelation 9:11.  2. obsolete Satan the Devil, the angel of the bottomless pit in Revelation 9:11.  Note: This dramatic reversal is found in JW Bible commentaries published just 13 years apart, demonstrating the changeableness of the “J.W.ese” language.  See AJWSBS and JWL.

Abba, Father!  Theological  (From Romans 8:15)  An expression reflecting the closeness members of the anointed class feel toward Jehovah God.  The vast majority of JWs see themselves as part of the “great crowd” of “other sheep” automatically excluded from this experience. 

abomination of desolation  obsolete  (From Matthew 24:15 KJV)  The League of Nations/United Nations organization, according to Watchtower interpretation, as in “These worldly people are idolaters because they worship the abomination of desolation.”  JWs today prefer the New World Translation rendering disgusting thing that causes desolation.

abomination that maketh desolate  obsolete  (From Daniel 12:11 KJV)  The League of Nations/United Nations organization, according to Watchtower interpretation, as in “These worldly people are idolaters because they worship the abomination of desolation.”  JWs today prefer the New World Translation rendering disgusting thing that is causing desolation.

Abraham  noun  1. The patriarch, father of Isaac, grandfather of Jacob.  2. Jehovah God, in passages such as Luke 16:23-30.  (To negate the concept of punishment after death the sect makes each of the characters in this passage purely symbolic, with the rich man and Lazarus each representing a class of people, and Abraham representing God.)

Abrahamic covenant  Theological  God’s arrangement to bless all mankind through a world government administered from heaven by Christ and 144,000 chosen followers.

Abraham’s seed  Theological  Jesus Christ plus 144,000 chosen followers.

accounts, the  Organizational A local congregation’s bookkeeping records, kept on forms and in a format prescribed by the Watchtower Society.

Accounting  Organizational At a circuit or district convention, the volunteer-manned department responsible for handling monies received from contribution boxes (and, formerly, from the sale of food at a cafeteria and snack bars.)

accounts servant   Organizational  The ministerial servant assigned to handle a local congregation’s bookkeeping.

accurate knowledge  The beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses, as in, “I was religious most of my life, but I was without accurate knowledge until the brothers came to my door.”

action   Short for judicial action, as in, “If sister Thompson confirms what you’ve told me about Jerry Smith, the brothers will have to take action.”

action, a committee   The official disciplining of a JW member by a judicial committee through disfellowshipping or a lesser punishment.

action, judicial   An official move to set up a judicial committee and summon before it an individual accused or suspected of wrongdoing.

active  adjective  1. Technical Having reported time at least once during the preceding six months.  2. Informal Participating in field service and/or reporting time.

active force   Theological  The “holy spirit” (usually not capitalized by JWs), viewed as neither deity nor person, but rather as the invisible force Jehovah God uses to accomplish his will.  During creation “God’s active force was moving to and fro over the surface of the waters,” according to Genesis 1:2 in the JW New World Translation.

active publisher  Technical  A Witness who has reported time during at least one of the preceding six months. 

activity  noun  1. Work performed and reportable as field service, as in “Have you reported your activity this month?”  2.  Scheduled field service, as in “Will you be participating in this afternoon’s activity?”

A.D.  obsolete  Anno Domini (In the year of our Lord), an expression avoided by Jehovah’s Witnesses today.  Following the pattern of The Watchtower, they prefer to label dates with the expression Common Era, abbreviated C.E.

Adam  noun  1. The first man. 2. The first human, originally created with both male and female characteristics, later transformed into a man when God took the female characteristics from him to make Eve—a teaching found in the September 1, 1956 Watchtower, pages 530-533, and still referenced as current information.

adjust verb, adjustment noun  A euphemism JWs use in reference to doctrinal changes or new teachings developed to replace failed prophecies.  For example, “In 1980 our thinking on the acceptability of organ transplants underwent an adjustment.”

administration  noun  The JW New World Translation’s substitute for “dispensation” at Ephesians 1:10, interpreted by the Watchtower Society as God’s heavenly government in the hands of Christ and the 144,000.

advancement  noun  1. Spiritual progress as measured by climbing the ladder of success in the Watchtower Society’s hierarchy through obtaining a higher position.  2. Spiritual progress as measured by taking on greater privileges of service, such as by rising from the level of an auxiliary pioneer to that of a regular pioneer.  Note:  Only #2 is available to women, since they are excluded from the hierarchy.

after Armageddon  An expression commonly used by JWs today, referring to the anticipated earthly paradise populated exclusively by Witnesses after God wipes out the entire global population of non-Witnesses.  Example: “Look at the size of that mansion!  A millionaire must live there.  That will be my house after Armageddon.”

Aid book, the  nickname  The Watchtower Society’s 1971 book Aid to Bible Understanding now viewed as obsolete and superseded by Insight on the Scriptures (1988). 

NOTE:  Our listing of JW expressions includes nicknames of certain books of current interest.  For a more complete catalogue of such materials, or for more details about a particular book, see Jehovah’s Witness Literature:  A Critical Guide to Watchtower Publications by David A. Reed (Baker Book House, 1993).

alcoholic beverages   Drinks containing alcohol—their moderate use is approved by Jehovah’s Witnesses, but excesses are common even at high levels of the organization.

alcoholism  noun  A sinful practice that is definitely not a disease—but that has been widely tolerated in the Watchtower organization, especially at Brooklyn head­ quarters, where Bethelites have had a reputation for heavy drinking.

Almighty  adjective  All-powerful—a term JWs formerly applied to Jesus Christ but now restrict to the Father only. In JW terminology the Father is the Almighty God, while the Son is only a mighty god.  (See AJWSBS and JWAVBV.)

ancient worthies  Chiefly plural; obsolete. Faithful men of pre-Christian times, especially those named in Hebrews, chapter 11, who Witnesses during the 1920’s-1950’s expected to be resurrected at any moment and to appear among them.  See JWAVBV, JWL.

angel  noun  The order of creation to which Jehovah’s Witnesses assign Jesus Christ, Satan the Devil, the demons, and obedient spirit creatures.  See AJWSBS, JWAVBV, INDEX.

Anglo-American world power  A fictitious government or nation composed of England and the United States, believed by JWs to be a de facto reality—invented to make Bible prophecies fit Watchtower interpretation.

anniversary  noun  An annual commemoration or celebration sometimes acceptable to JWs.  They celebrate wedding anniversaries and the anniversary of Christ’s death, but the organization puts on trial and punishes JWs who celebrate the anniversary of Christ’s birth (Christmas) or anyone else’s birthday.  See AJWSBS.

announce a disfellowshipping   To inform the local congregation, from the speaker’s platform, that an individual has been disfellowshipped by a judicial committee—usually seven days after reaching the disfellowshipping decision, if no appeal has been made.  Once the announcement has been made, other Witnesses must shun the offender.

announcements   A service meeting part—usually at the beginning or end of the meeting—devoted largely to communicating schedules of upcoming activities and other mundane matters concerning the local Kingdom Hall, literature supplies, and similar information.

annual meeting, the   The official corporate annual meeting of the members (shareholders, or stockholders) of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, generally held in Pennsylvania or nearby in New Jersey.  Besides the limited number of corporate members, admission to the closed meeting is by ticket only.

anointed  adjective 1. Of or pertaining to a member of the anointed class.  — noun  1.  The anointed class, especially with the, as in, “She is one of the anointed.”  2.  With the, the Messiah or Christ.

anointed class  144,000 faithful Christian believers from the day of Pentecost until the present—believed by JWs to be the only people going to heaven and the only true members of the body of Christ.

anointed remnant  1. The remaining members of the anointed class still alive on earth today or at any particular time during the last days, officially tallied at the annual Memorial and currently reported as numbering between eight and nine thousand.  2.  The tiny minority of JWs who profess the heavenly hope. 

anthem, national  A musical piece dreaded by JWs, who view it as representing satanic rulership.  Forbidden to stand up when it is played, and often encountering abuse for taking that position, JWs cringe at the sound.  See AJWSBS.

antichrist, the  noun  1. An unnamed biblical character prefiguring collectively the clergy of Christendom.  2.  The clergy of Christendom, collectively.

NOTE:  Witnesses also refer to clergy of other churches as “the man of lawlessness” and consider them as the worst villains, second only to “apostate” ex-Witnesses.

antitype  noun A person, nation, or other thing prophetically foreshadowed or prefigured by a biblical character, nation, or thing.  Examples: The Watchtower organization is the antitype of Noah’s Ark, and Christendom is the antitype of unfaithful Jerusalem, according to Watch­ tower interpretation.

antitypical  adjective Foreshadowed or prefigured by.  Example: “Antitypical unfaithful Jerusalem is Christendom.”

antitypical Babylon   Collectively, all false (i.e., non-JW) religions today, as prefigured by the ancient Babylonian Empire and/or Neo-Babylonian Empire viewed as a prophetic pattern  or type.

antitypical Israel  The anointed class of believers supposedly at the core of the JW organization, as prefigured by the ancient nation of Israel.

antitypical Jerusalem   The JW organization, viewed as having been prefigured by the ancient Jewish capital.

Apollyon  noun  1.  Jesus Christ, the angel of the bottomless pit in Revelation 9:11.  2. obsolete Satan the Devil, the angel of the bottomless pit in Revelation 9:11.  Note: This dramatic reversal is found in JW Bible commentaries published just 13 years apart, demonstrating the changeableness of the “J.W.ese” language.  See AJWSBS and JWL.

apostasy  noun  Any rejection of, or deviation from, Watchtower teaching, even in relatively minor matters—viewed as the most serious form of sin, equivalent to outright rebellion against God himself.  Example: “Sister Johnson, please!  Don’t question what the Society has said about the year 1914.  That could get you disfellowshipped for apostasy.”

apostate  noun  A former Witness who now denies Watchtower doctrine.  adjective  Of, or pertaining to, a former JW who now denies Watchtower doctrine.

NOTE:   Apostate is the worst derogatory term in Witness vocabulary.  A JW sees apostates as ranking below prostitutes, murderers, and child abusers.

apostolic succession  The Roman Catholic teaching that the position and/or authority of the twelve apostles has been passed on to other men in our day.  Note: Jehovah’s Witnesses reject the concept as a false doctrine when promoted by Catholics, but embrace the same concept in viewing their own Governing Body as the modern day equivalent of the twelve apostles.

appeal   verb  To request a rehearing of an unfavorable judicial committee decision.  For example, the chairman of such a committee may say to the accused at the end of the proceedings, “The committee has concluded that you must be disfellowshipped.  However, no announcement will be made for seven days, to allow you opportunity to appeal, if you wish.”

appeal committee  Organizational.  Three or more elders assigned to form a temporary body to rehear a case previously tried by a judicial committee.  The appeal committee’s decision is usually final, with no further appeal available.

appointed  verb, past tense  Placed in position by God.  Example:  “The appointed servants in a congrega­tion serve as Jehovah’s representatives.”

appointed times of the nations  A divinely fixed interval of 2520 years set aside for uninterrupted rule by Gentile nations opposed to God, commencing with the alleged desolation of Jerusalem in 607 B.C. and ending 1914 A.D. with the heavenly enthronement and invisible return of Christ.  Formerly, the Gentile times.

appointment  noun  Assignment from God, through His organization, to serve in some special capacity.  Example: “Appointment to serve as an elder is made by Jehovah God through His organization.”

appreciate spiritual things   To demonstrate a positive attitude toward the teachings and instructions of the Watchtower Society, as in, “We won’t let our daughter play with the Johnson girl, because the Johnsons don’t appreciate spiritual things.”

appreciation   Appreciation of spiritual things, as in, “She quit pioneering because she’s lacking in appreciation.”

appreciation of spiritual things   A positive viewpoint toward the Watchtower Society’s teachings and organizational arrangements.

approved associate   obsolete An unbaptized person who is studying with Jehovah’s Witnesses, who is attending meetings, and who has conformed his lifestyle and beliefs to Watchtower standards—and who is hence declared eligible to share in field service and to turn in a report that will be accepted by the organization.

archangel  noun  Michael, alias Jesus Christ, who JWs believe to be the first angel created by God.  See JWAVBV.

ark, the   The ark of salvation, God’s organization.  For example, an elder may tell an inactive Witness, “Get into the ark!  Your life depends on it.”

ark of salvation   The Jehovah’s Witness organization, allegedly prefigured by Noah’s ark as the only safe place to be when destruction from God rains down upon the modern world.

Armageddon  noun  God’s final war, ending the present wicked world, with the destruction of all human governments and the permanent annihilation and eternal death of all non-JWs.  See AJWSBS.

artificial blood   An experimental product, Fluosol-DA, which JWs looked to hopefully between 1980 and 1985 when it was proved ineffective.

arrangement, the   In any specific situation or circumstances, the procedural instructions provided by the Watchtower Society through its publications, letters, and appointed representatives.   For example, an elder may reject suggestions for an innovative approach to meetings or door-to-door work by replying,  “No.  Let’s just follow the arrangement.”  This puts the weight of the Watchtower Society and God’s invisible heavenly organization behind his words.

assembly  noun  1. A large JW district convention held annually in a rented stadium or convention center for three days or longer with approximately 10,000 to 60,000 in attendance at each convention site in numerous cities around the globe.  2.  A smaller annual or semi-annual JW circuit convention lasting two or three days with approximately 500 to 2000 drawn from several local congregations in attendance at a JW Assembly Hall or a rented high school auditorium.  3.  Any special gathering of JWs from more than one congregation.

assembly hall    noun  Essentially an oversized Kingdom Hall, a building with seating capacity to accommodate several congregations at the same time and used for small assemblies.  Note:  The Assembly Hall may be owned by one of the Watchtower corporations or by a local legal entity formed for that purpose.

assembly overseer  1.  A JW elder in each circuit responsible for organizing and directing the various departments handling physical arrangements at a circuit assembly.  2. The elder caring for similar responsibilities at a district convention or international assembly.

assembly release(s)   1.  noun  New Watchtower books, booklets, tapes, or CDs announced and made available, usually at a district assembly.  Example:  “We just got home from the convention.  Here, let me show you the new assembly releases.”

assistant congregation servant  obsolete  A discontinued second-in-command post in the local JW hierarchy.  Today’s congregation overseer shares some of his power with the congregation secretary and the field service overseer.

association, freedom of  A democratic concept advocated by Jehovah’s Witnesses insofar as it applies to their organization’s legal right to hold meetings, but denied by the organization to individual members who seek outside association.  For example, a JW may face trial and punishment for attending a political rally, participating in a town meeting, or sharing in the worship service of another church.

astrologers  noun  The derogatory term JWs use for the “wise men” who brought gifts to baby Jesus.  In the Watchtower view it was Satan the Devil who sent the Star of Bethlehem as part of the plot to have Jesus killed in infancy.

attend   verb   To belong to (a specific congregation).  Since the concept of membership is offensive to JWs, they avoid saying they belong to a certain congregation and say instead that they attend that congregation.

attendant  noun  Technical An usher (nearly always male) assigned to seat people, to keep order, and to direct traffic at a JW meeting or assembly.

audience contact  Eye-contact with listeners; one of the speech counsel points on which JWs are graded when giving student talks in the Theocratic Ministry School.

Auditing Department   The division of a circuit or district convention organization responsible for collecting, counting, and dispensing the convention’s funds.

aux. pio.   abbreviation auxiliary pioneer

auxiliary pioneer   1. A JW whose application has been accepted for the privilege of full-time service during a single month or a number of consecutive months, currently with a monthly goal of 60 hours.  2. To hold this assignment, as in, “I plan to auxiliary pioneer in April if I can schedule my vacation then.”

Awake!  The less-doctrinal companion magazine to The Watchtower designed to capture the attention of people who are not religiously-minded.  Formerly titled The Golden Age and Consolation.  As of this writing approximately 13 million copies are produced semi-monthly in 75 languages.

B

b.a.   slang  A Bethelite who privately manifests a bad attitude (abbreviated b.a.) through untheocratic thoughts or facial expressions, or by secretly flaunting disregard for organizational authority or authority figures.  Use of this term is confined largely to the Bethel family and is seldom heard among JWs in general.

baby   noun   One of the few acceptable reasons for a woman to stop pioneering or to avoid entering pioneer service.  The statement, “She had a baby,” carries this immediate implication when a woman’s spirituality is being discussed by fellow Witnesses.

baby shower   A social gathering for the purpose of bestowing gifts on a pregnant woman for her future infant—one of the few acceptable occasions for JWs to hold a party.

Babylon   noun   1. Non-Witness religious organiza­tions collectively.  Example: “Alice has gone back to Babylon,” means, “Alice has resumed her involvement with her non-Witness church.”  2. The ancient neo-Babylonian empire and/or its capital city.  3. The land of the post-deluge Tower of Babel.

Babylon book, the  nickname  The Watchtower Society’s 1963 publication titled “Babylon the Great Has Fallen!” God’s Kingdom Rules!  See JWL.

Babylon the Great   The “world empire of false religion” composed of all non-JW religious organizations and their members.  See AJWSBS.

Babylonish  adjective  1. False-religious.  Used primarily to describe doctrines and practices of other sects.  2. Characteristic of ancient pagan Babylon.

Babylonish captivity   1.  The seventy-year period from 607 to 537 B.C.E. when the leaders and people of Judah were held captive as exiles in the Neo-Babylonian empire, according to Watchtower interpretation.   2.  A similar period from 1914 to 1918, allegedly foretold in Scripture, when Watchtower followers in a weakened spiritual condition compromised with worldly influences, culminating in the 1918-1919 imprisonment of president J. F. Rutherford and other leaders of the sect.

Babylon’s fall   1.  The Medo-Persian conquest of the Neo-Babylonian empire in 539 B.C.E.  2.  The prophesied defeat of modern Babylon the Great—the non-JW religions—in 1919 when Watchtower leaders imprisoned on sedition charges were released from the Atlanta federal penitentiary.

back call  obsolete  1. A return visit to a householder who showed interest when JWs knocked on his or her door on a prior occasion.  2. Such a householder, as in the sentence, “The woman on the third floor is my back call” (= “The woman on the third floor is someone I visited earlier with the intention of returning again.”)

back call book  obsolete  A small pocket notebook used for recording the address and other pertinent information regarding potential and actual back calls.

bad association   1. Any non-Witness, or a JW who is obviously headed for trouble.  Example:  “It wouldn’t be right to go to a restaurant with our worldly neighbors; they’re bad association.”  2. The act of spending time with a worldly person.  3.  obsolete  A designation equivalent to disfellowshipped person but applied to an unbaptized individual who had begun to engage in congregation activities.  (The practice was discontinued, apparently after encountering defamation lawsuits from such individuals.)

bad attitude   slang  A Bethelite who privately manifests untheocratic thoughts or facial expressions, or secretly flaunts disregard for organizational authority or authority figures.  Use of this term is confined largely to the Bethel family and is seldom heard among JWs in general.  (Usually abbreviated b.a.)

bag   slang A briefcase or book bag used in field service.

ban   noun   A governmental prohibition on the door-to-door preaching activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses, or, in more extreme cases, a total outlawing of the sect.  Example:  “Our brothers in Greece were preaching under ban at that time.”  

(NOTE:  Although outsiders refer to the sect’s ban on blood transfusions and its past bans on organ transplants and vaccinations, JWs themselves avoid this usage of the term.)

baptism   noun   1.  A service JWs normally hold two or three times a year, usually as part of a convention, during which new members are baptized.   2.  The act of baptizing such new members.

baptize   verb  To immerse a new member in water at a baptismal service.

Battle of Armageddon   The second part of the Great Tribulation; the destruction of all human governments and the rest of Satan’s world, following the Battle of Babylon.  Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that they themselves will be the only survivors and that God will send everyone else—men, women, and children—to eternal destruction.

Battle of Babylon   The first part of the Great Tribulation; the destruction of all non-JW religious organizations, including all the churches of Christendom.

B.C.  obsolete  Before Christ—an expression avoided by Jehovah’s Witnesses.  Following the pattern of The Watchtower, they prefer to label dates with the expression Before the Common Era, abbreviated B.C.E.

B.C.E.  Abbreviation  Before the Common Era—the expression Jehovah’s Witnesses use in place of B.C. or Before Christ.  (Although others sometimes use B.C.E. to stand for Before the Christian Era, JWs nearly always read it as Before the Common Era.)

beard   noun   The hair on a man’s chin and cheeks.  Although Watchtower founder Charles Taze Russell was bearded, beards have generally been unacceptable among Jehovah’s Witnesses throughout most of this century.  A beard usually marks a man as a non-Witness.  In fact, illustrations in Watchtower publications even depicted Jesus as beardless between 1942 and 1968.  See JWL.

beast(s)   noun  Human governments under the control of Satan the Devil.

beast out of the abyss    The League of Nations, and then later the United Nations organization, according to Watchtower interpretations of Revelation 17:8.

beast out of the sea   noun  The world-wide political system of human governments under the control of Satan the Devil, according to Watchtower interpretations of Revelation, chapter 13.

beast, two-horned   noun  The Anglo-American world power, an alleged de facto combine of Britain and the United States.

beer   noun   An alcoholic fermented beverage approved by Jehovah’s Witnesses for moderate use, but traditionally consumed in large quantities at Brooklyn headquarters.

Before Christ  (See B.C.)

Before the Christian Era  (See B.C.E.)

Before the Common Era  (See B.C.E.)

belong   verb A term Jehovah’s Witnesses avoid using in regard to their local congregation.  Rather than say, “I belong to the Downtown Congregation,” a Witness would say, “I attend the Downtown Congregation.”

Bethel   noun  1. The Watchtower organization’s world headquarters complex, composed of some thirty buildings, in Brooklyn, New York.  2. A Watchtower branch office complex in another country, particularly when referred to by JWs native to that country.  For example, Canadian JWs refer to Toronto Bethel.  3. Loosely, any of the Watchtower Society’s live-in complexes, including outlying farms operated by full-time volunteers.  4. Obsolete. The four-story brownstone at 124 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, formerly the residence of Congregational pastor Henry Ward Beecher, purchased by the Society to house its headquarters staff when moving to New York City in 1909.  The March 1, 1909 Watch Tower declared, “The new home we shall call ‘Bethel,’” derived from the Hebrew expression for House of God.  5. Obsolete. Plymouth Bethel.

Bethel family  1. A collective term for the thousands of full-time Brooklyn headquarters, farm, and branch office live-in volunteer workers.  2. The workers at a given location, as in “the Brooklyn Bethel family” or “the Toronto Bethel family.”

Bethel Home   1.  The residence portion of the Brooklyn headquarters complex.   2.  The residence portion of a Watchtower branch office complex.

Bethelite  noun  A full-time live-in worker at Watchtower headquarters or at any of the Society’s branch offices or farms.  Bethelites are unpaid but receive room and board plus a small monthly allowance for personal items.

Bethel service   A live-in full-time volunteer position at Watchtower headquarters or one of the Society’s branch offices or farms, ranked above pioneering but below circuit work.

Beth-Sarim  noun  A San Diego mansion that served as second Watchtower president J. F. Rutherford’s winter residence, but that was supposedly held in trust for soon-to-be resurrected Old Testament  patriarchs and prophets who would rule the earth from that residence.  See AJWSBS.

Bible  noun  1. The Watchtower Society’s New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.  2.  Any Bible.  See JWASBS, JWAVBV, JWL.

Bible-based   Derived from a correct understanding of Scripture—a term usually applied to Watchtower teachings and literature to endow them with biblical authority.

Bible dictionary   1.  The 1988 Watchtower publication Insight on the Scriptures in two volumes.  2.  The obsolete 1971 Watchtower publication Aid to Bible Understanding.  See JWL.   3.  Any standard Bible dictionary from non-Witness sources.  JWs view these as unreliable, but will quote from one if material can be found to support a particular Watchtower teaching.

Bible drama   A stage play put on at a JW convention with amateur actors depicting Bible characters and modern Witnesses—with a definite lesson to be learned.  The spoken parts are normally recorded ahead of time by trained Bethel speakers; then local Witnesses pantomime the parts on stage.  Though stiff and dry by entertainment industry standards, these brief dramas are the highlights of Watchtower conventions for most JWs, especially the children.

Bible House  Obsolete.  The Watch Tower headquarters building in Allegheny, Pennsylvania.

Bible knowledge   Understanding and acceptance of Watchtower teachings, as in, “The church members who agreed to study with us began to gain Bible knowledge.”

Bible principles  General rules of conduct set forth in Watchtower publications, citing the Scriptures as authority.

Bible Students   1. The name early Watchtower followers used to refer to themselves, abandoned in 1931 in favor of the name Jehovah’s Witnesses.  2. Members of groups that remained loyal to C. T. Russell’s teachings and refused to accept J. F. Rutherford’s changes.  Prominent among these groups today are the Chicago Bible Students and the Dawn Bible Students.  See AJWSBS, JWL.

Bible study   noun  1. A one-on-one indoctrination session usually held weekly in the home of a prospective convert with paragraph-by-paragraph consideration of a Watchtower textbook.  2. A prospective convert who takes part in such a study, as in “She’s my Bible study,” meaning, “She’s a prospective convert with whom I conduct a study in one of the Watchtower Society’s books.”

Bible Study Overseer   obsolete  An elder assigned to oversee disciple-making, return visits, and home Bible studies in a local JW congregation.  This was, for a time, the third ranking position in a local congregation, and the elder holding it was a member of the Congregation Committee.

Bible Study Report  See Study Report.

binder   A permanent storage shell that can be purchased at the literature counter to hold a year’s Watchtower or Awake! magazines.  Binders are used by JWs who cannot afford to purchase bound volumes or who wish to save the personal study notes they made in their original magazines.

birth control   Artificial means of preventing pregnancy—some forms are acceptable to JWs and others are objectionable, as spelled out in Watchtower articles on specific methods.

birthday   noun   The anniversary of one’s birth—a subject on which the Watchtower Society has flip-flopped over the years, with positions ranging from encouraging celebration to forbidding it as a disfellowshipping offense.  Birthday parties and birthday cards are currently forbidden.  See AJWSBS.

blood card   slang  A “no blood” card.  Example:  “You won’t be able to get the new book at the assembly unless you can show the brothers your blood card.”

blood fraction   Any of the various components of whole blood, some of which JWs may accept and some of which they must refuse.  The Governing Body has ruled that Witnesses may accept albumin, immune globulins, Factor VIII, Factor IX, and their own blood circulated outside the body in a heart/lung or kidney machine, but they must refuse plasma, red cells, white cells, platelets, and their own blood stored outside the body in a bottle or bag.

bloodguilt   noun  Accountability for violating God’s law on the sanctity of blood, incurred by contributing to an untimely death or by accepting a blood transfusion.  An elder might counsel a Witness in this manner, for example:  “If you hold back from sharing in the preaching work, you will bring bloodguilt upon yourself for the people who die without hearing our lifesaving message.”

bloodguilty   adjective  Having incurred bloodguilt.

blood issue   The organizational decree that JWs must refuse blood transfusions, and the controversy that often results.

blood substitute   Usually a plasma volume expander that keeps veins from collapsing due to blood loss, but that fails to perform all the functions of real blood.

body   slang  The local body of elders.  For example, the Presiding Overseer might say to the Circuit Overseer, “Sure, it’s okay with me for you to park your trailer at Kingdom Hall, but I’ll have to check with the body.”

body of elders   Collectively, the elders of a local congregation meeting together in formal session.

book bag   The small briefcase (men) or large purse (women) JWs use to carry their magazines, books, and other merchandise to householders’ doors.  It also typically contains tracts, handbills, a territory map, a return visit book, and other field service paraphernalia.

book offer, the   The book specified in Our Kingdom Service as the one JWs should be presenting at the doors during a given month.

book room  The cubicle or small room used at Kingdom Hall for storing and dispensing Watchtower books, booklets, bound volumes, and other literature with the exception of periodicals—usually equipped with a window or dutch door to provide counter service.  Also called a literature room.

book study  The one-hour Congregation Book Study Meeting held weekly in each JW congregation, usually on Tuesday evening, for the purpose of studying a textbook assigned by Brooklyn headquarters.  Each congregation usually splits up into book study groups with several book studies meeting simultaneously in private homes and in various rooms at Kingdom Hall.

book study group   The individuals (usually between 10 and 30) assigned to attend a particular Congregation Book Study Meeting.

bound volume  A hard-covered collection of a particular year’s Watchtower or Awake! magazines—the preferred form in which these periodicals are kept for reference.

Branch Office   One of approximately a hundred regional subsidiaries of the Watch Tower Society worldwide supervising the sect’s operations in a particular country and, in some cases, neighboring countries as well.  The Branch Office complex usually includes business offices, living quarters for Branch personnel, warehouse and shipping facilities, and sometimes a literature-production factory.

break  noun A mid-morning or mid-afternoon stop for coffee and donuts during field service activity.   (The duration of the break is often a bone of contention between reluctant Witnesses for whom it is the highlight of the morning and time-conscious auxiliary pioneers eager to get their time started again.  Circuit overseers and regular pioneers commonly keep their time running during the break and relax there as long as they want.)

break integrity   To violate God’s law (as interpreted by the Watchtower Society), especially in the area of political or medical prohibitions.

bride, the  The bride class.

bride class  1. The 144,000 believed bound for heaven, especially in their role as the bride of Christ.  2. The anointed remnant.

brochure   Any of several 32-page JW booklets with the same dimensions as a Watchtower magazine.

Brooklyn   slang  noun  1. The headquarters organization, as in “The elders submitted my question to Brooklyn, and now they are waiting for an answer.”  2. The Watchtower headquarters complex in Brooklyn, New York, as in “We’re going to take a tour of Brooklyn next week.”

Brooklyn Tabernacle  Obsolete.  The Watchtower organization’s name for the former Plymouth Bethel, purchased in 1908 to house the Society’s new offices in New York City.  (See Plymouth Bethel.)

brother, a   slang  A male baptized Witness.

brothers, one of the   slang  1. An appointed elder.  2. A male baptized Witness.

brother, the   slang  The elder in charge in a given context.

brothers, the   slang  The congregation elders.

bulletin board  obsolete The term bulletin board was stricken from JW vocabulary decades ago due to its supposedly unsavory etymology.  Witnesses trace its derivation to the papal bull, and certainly no loyal Witness would want to refer to the Kingdom Hall corkboard as a place for displaying documents issued by the Roman Catholic pope.  Notices are hung on the information board.  (It is technically permissible for JWs to use the term bulletin board when referring to such an object at their place of employment or at the super­ market, but the habit of substituting the expression information board often carries over to this usage as well.)

business territory   Non-residential streets or blocks occupied by storefronts, offices, factories or other commercial/industrial buildings, sometimes set aside to be worked by pioneers or others who express a preference for it.

Byington  The Bible in Living English by Steven T. Byington (Watchtower Society, 1972).  A JW might say, “I took along my Byington to use at that call,” meaning “my copy of Byington’s translation.”  (For more information see pages 130-132 of Jehovah’s Witness Literature: A Critical Guide to Watchtower Publications by David A. Reed, Baker Book House, 1993)

C

C.E.  Abbreviation  Common Era, the expression Jehovah’s Witnesses use in place of A.D. or Anno Domini (In the year of our Lord).

c.o.   slang  1. Circuit overseer.  2. obsolete Congrega­tion overseer. 

In each case, the resemblance to the secular “c.o.,” meaning “commanding officer,” is intentional and appropriate.

caesar   noun  The secular government.

caesar’s law   Secular civil or criminal law, viewed as inferior or subordinate to God’s law (as interpreted by the Watchtower Society).  Example:  A JW working as a secretary or clerk in a government office would say to herself or to a fellow-Witness, “Caesar’s law requires me to keep these records confidential, but I will obey God’s law and tell the elders that Medicare paid for a blood transfusion for Sister Johnson.”

calendar, the  A colorful calendar printed by the Watchtower Society.  JWs superstitiously avoid displaying or using commercial calendars whenever possible, because these commonly feature holidays denoted by religious or patriotic artwork which they consider to be of satanic origin.  (Yet, JW calendars feature the standard names for months and days, ignoring the fact that Thursday is named after the Norse god Thor, March after the Roman god Mars, and so on.)

call   1. A return visit.  2. slang A person whom a Witness has been visiting to cultivate interest, as in, “Skip the second floor when you do that building, because the woman who lives there is my call.”

campaign   noun A special focus of door-to-door work during certain months, as outlined in Our Kingdom Ministry.  For example, January and February may be set aside for a subscription campaign, and December for a campaign with the New World Translation.

captain, car  See car captain.

captivity to Babylon   1.  The seventy-year period from 607 to 537 B.C.E. when the leaders and people of Judah were held captive as exiles in the neo-Babylonian empire, according to Watchtower interpretation.   2.  A similar period from 1914 to 1918, allegedly foretold in Scripture, when Watchtower followers in a weakened spiritual condition compromised with worldly influences, culminating in the 1918-1919 imprisonment of president J. F. Rutherford and other leaders of the sect.

car captain  The individual, usually an adult male, assigned to direct the occupants of a particular automobile or group of automobiles traveling together to work territory from house to house or to make return visits.  (The car captain may assign publishers to work together or send them out alone, and may tell them to start with a certain house and proceed in a given direction.)

car group  The Witnesses riding together to work a section of territory or to make return visits on interested persons.

card  organizational  A Publisher’s Record Card.  (For example, an elder in one congregation may say to an elder in another, “Even though her illicit sex took place in our territory, Sister Jackson’s card is in your congregation’s file, so you will have to set up the judicial committee.”)  See Publisher’s Record Card.

cemetery witnessing   Organized witnessing activity in graveyards on Memorial Day or similar occasions.  The JWs approach people who have come to visit loved ones’ graves, give them a tract, and sometimes also attempt to speak briefly with them.

cemetery work   Cemetery witnessing.

Channel  short for Channel of Communication

Channel of Communication  The Watchtower Society, viewed as God’s mouthpiece or the channel through which God speaks to mankind.

chairman   1. The elder presiding over a congregation’s body of elders.  2. The elder presiding over a judicial committee or other committee of elders.  3. The Governing Body member chairing that body’s meetings during the current year on a rotating basis.

Chairman’s Committee   The chief subcommittee of the Governing Body, composed of this year’s chairman, last year’s, and next year’s.

chariot  See Jehovah’s chariot.

choir   A group of singers performing in one of Christendom’s false churches.  JW Kingdom Halls do not feature choirs, since they are viewed as an invention of the devil.

Christ   noun  Michael, the first angel God created, in his role as Messiah following his baptism by John.  See AJWSBS, JWAVBV.

Christ class   obsolete  The composite Christ made up of Jesus and his 144,000 heaven-bound disciples, a teaching no longer promoted by the Watchtower Society.

Christendom   The non-JW churches, collectively—viewed as an apostate organization under the leadership of Satan the Devil.  See AJWSBS.

Christian  noun 1. A Jehovah’s Witness.  2. A nominal Christian, a non-Witness professing Christianity.  adjective 1. Of or about Jehovah’s Witnesses.  2.  Of or about nominal Christians.

NOTE:  Since Jehovah’s Witnesses believe themselves to be the only genuine Christians, others who lay claim to the name must be impostors, pseudochristians, in their eyes.

Christian Congregation, the   1. Technically, the 144,000-member body of Christ, represented on earth today by a remnant of fewer than nine thousand elderly JWs baptized prior to 1935.  2. Loosely, the worldwide body of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Christian congregation, a  A local church body of Jehovah’s Witnesses; JWs almost never use the word church to apply to themselves, but prefer instead the word congregation.

Christian Greek Scriptures, the   The preferred term among JWs for the New Testament.  Use of the expression New Testament marks the speaker as a non-Witness in most cases.

Christian Scriptures   Short for the Christian Greek Scriptures.

Christian Witnesses of Jehovah  An alternate version of the name Witnesses of Jehovah, employed in formal talks, when the speaker wishes to emphasize the group’s profession of Christianity.

Christianity  1. The religion or beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses.  2. The religion or beliefs of nominal Christians.

church, a   1. A pseudo-Christian religious organiza­tion or congregation.  2. The steepled building such a false congregation meets in.  3. obsolete  A Kingdom Hall.  The first Kingdom Hall was named “New Light Church,” but JWs no longer use the word church in connection with any of their buildings.

Church, the   1. Technically, the 144,000-member body of Christ, represented on earth today by a remnant of fewer than nine thousand elderly JWs baptized prior to 1935.  2. Loosely, the worldwide body of Jehovah’s Witnesses. 

churches, the   slang  The false non-Witness organizations professing Christianity.

circuit   noun  A collection of between 12 and 20 JW congregations under the oversight of a circuit overseer.

circuit assembly   Technical An annual or semi-annual JW convention for the members of a particular circuit, usually lasting two or three days with approximately 500 to 2000 in attendance at a JW Assembly Hall or a rented school auditorium.

circuit convention  A circuit assembly.

circuit overseer   Technical An elder in full-time service assigned to oversee a number of congregations (perhaps 12-20).  Accompanied by his wife, he usually visits each congregation twice a year for a week at a time, staying with a family in their home and taking meals at the homes of other families that volunteer.  The circuit overseer ranks immediately above congregation elders and exercises limited authority over them.

circuit servant  obsolete  Circuit overseer.

circuit work   The position of a circuit overseer, as in “My son is now in the circuit work.”

city overseer  A local elder appointed to handle city-wide matters in cities with more than one congregation.

class   noun 1. A composite body of people viewed as fulfilling a particular role foretold in Scripture.  For examples, see the Christ class, the Ezekiel class, the Jeremiah class, and so on.   2. The Watchtower missionaries trained together at Gilead School during a particular year.  “Martha was a member of the Gilead Class of 1968.”

class worker   obsolete  In the 1930’s, a congregation publisher.

clergy, clergyman   A distasteful term used to designate prominent paid employees of Satan the devil’s religious organizations.  JWs vigorously reject the application of the term to any of their elders or traveling overseers and deny that their organization has any paid clergy—although traveling overseers receive a monthly allowance.

closed-minded  adjective Characterized by unwillingness to listen to the Watchtower message.

collection plate   An item not found at JW Kingdom Halls but employed only at false churches, in the Witness view.

colporteur   obsolete  A full-time door-to-door Watch Tower distributor in the early years of the organization.  Today’s equivalent is a pioneer or special pioneer.

come into the truth, to   To become a Jehovah’s Witness.  “I came into the truth in 1991.  When did you come into the truth?”

comment   noun  A remark from a member of the audience called on to answer a question during a congregation meeting.  verb  To participate from one’s seat in the audience during a meeting.

committee, the   1. The Congregation Service Committee.  2. A judicial committee.  3. A special committee.

committee action, a   The official disciplining of a JW member by a judicial committee through disfellowshipping or a lesser punishment.

committee business  1. Information of a confidential nature that must remain within the confines of a judicial committee or the congregation committee.  For example, an elder serving on such a committee might say to his wife, “I can’t discuss with you the relationship between Fred Thompson and the Jackson girl because it has become committee business.”  2. An issue to be decided or a task to be handled by the congregation committee.

committee matter  An offense requiring action by a judicial committee.  For example, and elder might explain to the parents of a teenage couple, “If you caught the kids kissing, you parents can discipline them, but if they were engaged in heavy petting or other loose conduct, then it becomes a committee matter and the brothers will have to look into it.”

Common Era   The expression Jehovah’s Witnesses use in place of A.D. or Anno Domini (In the year of our Lord).  Usually abbreviated C.E.

Communion   obsolete  JWs celebrate the Lord’s Evening Meal annually at their Memorial service, but they avoid calling it Communion.

complete donation arrangement  technical  Procedures and terminology designed to disguise monies received for Watchtower publications as free gifts totally unrelated to the materials distributed—a policy instituted in the United States following a 1990 Supreme Court ruling against Jimmy Swaggart Ministries in a California sales tax case.  (The Watchtower Society had entered the Swaggart case as a “friend of the court” by joining the International Society for Krishna Consciousness of California, the National Council of Churches of Christ, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, and other religious organizations in filing amicus curiae briefs with the high court.  The justices’ January 17 ruling against Swaggart was followed by a February 9 letter from Watchtower headquarters instructing Witnesses to stop naming specific sales prices for literature offered from house to house.  See also contribution.

conditional donation   Money donated to the organization on the condition that it may be returned to the donor in extreme circumstances.

congregation  A local body of JW believers usually composed of between 50 and 150 publishers and their families.

congregation, the Christian     1. Technically, the 144,000-member body of Christ, represented on earth today by a remnant of fewer than nine thousand elderly JWs baptized prior to 1935.  2. Loosely, the worldwide body of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

congregation accounts  Financial records of a local congregation’s income and expenses maintained by the Accounts Servant on forms provided by the Watchtower Society.

congregation committee   Congrega­tion Service Committee

congregation overseer   1. obsolete The top elder in charge of a congregation prior to the rotation arrangement introduced during the early 1970’s.  2. slang Presiding overseer.

Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, the (specific locality)  The name of a local JW church body always takes this form as in, for example, the East Boston Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, or the Freeport Heights Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

congregation publisher   A rank-and-file Jehovah’s Witness who reports time in field service but who does not pioneer or serve in any other special capacity.

congregation servant   obsolete  Congregation overseer.

Congregation Service Committee   Tech­nical The top three elders in each local JW congregation—the presiding overseer, secretary, and service overseer—who sign routine forms and occasionally perform other tasks as a body.

conscience matter   An area of personal conduct in which organizational rulings allow for some freedom of choice without falling into disfavor.  (Compare personal decision.)

continuous auxiliary pioneer   One who serves as an auxiliary pioneer month after month, indefinitely.

contribute   verb  1. To make a free-will donation to the Watchtower Society or the local congregation.  2. To give money to purchase literature or other items—treated as a donation to evade taxes.

contribution   noun  1. A free-will donation to the Watchtower Society or the local congregation.  2. Money for the purchase of literature or other items, handled as a donation to evade taxes.

contribution box   A receptacle for receiving money at a JW Kingdom Hall or assembly site.  There may be a general contribution box as well as boxes to receive money for specific purposes—to pay for literature, meals at assemblies, etc.  JWs view passing the collection plate at other churches as a false religious practice; they see no resemblance between their contribution boxes and church collection plates.

convention   noun  1. A large JW district assembly held annually in a rented stadium or convention center for three days or longer with approximately 10,000 to 60,000 in attendance at each convention site in numerous cities around the globe.  2.  A smaller annual or semi-annual JW circuit assembly lasting two or three days with approximately 500 to 2000 drawn from several local congregations in attendance at a JW Assembly Hall or a rented high school auditorium.  3.  Any special gathering of JWs from more than one congregation.

convention department   A division of the temporary organization set up to run a district or circuit convention—usually manned by volunteer appointees supervised by a local elder or, in the case of larger conventions, a circuit overseer.  Examples:  Rooming Department, Food Service Department, Auditing Department.

convention overseer   The elder in charge of the temporary organization running a circuit assembly or district convention.

convention report  Obsolete.  A booklet or paperback book published between 1904 and 1969 in connection with a large district or international convention, featuring photographs taken at the gathering and promoting new publications released there.  (Also called simply “convention report.”

convention release(s)   1.  noun  New Watchtower books, booklets, tapes, or CDs announced and made available, usually at a district convention.  Example:  “We just got home from the assembly.  Here, let me show you the new convention releases.”

conversational quality   A point of speech counsel in the Theocratic Ministry School emphasizing the use of natural-sounding speech that is not “preachy”—both from the speaker’s platform and in door-to-door ministry.

counsel   Corrective or instructive advice based on the Bible and/or Watchtower publications and offered by one JW to another, regardless of whether solicited or not.

counsel point   A quality of speech among those enumerated in the Theocratic Ministry School for students to work on.

Counsel Slip   See Speech Counsel Slip.

count time, count (one’s) time   1.  To classify an interval of time as field service that can be reported in the “hours” column of a field service report.  Example: “You can’t count your time on that visit to Martha because, although irregular, she was still an active publisher.”   2. To be in a situation where the clock is running on reportable time.  “These letters I’m writing are to worldly people, so I’m counting time right now.”

NOTE:  Jehovah’s Witnesses speak of themselves as counting time in much the same way that a factory worker who has punched-in his time-card is now on the clock.  It is also similar to the situation of a taxi driver when the meter is running.  The Witness receives no financial remuneration, of course, but views the accumulating time as valuable in itself.

cover (a congregation’s territory)  To finish visiting all the homes in door-to-door ministry, as in, “How often does your congregation cover its territory?”

coverage   The frequency with which all the homes in a congregation’s territory are visited in door-to-door work.  For example, a Witness might ask another from the other side of town, “What’s your congregation’s coverage?” and the other might answer, “Three times a year. What’s yours?”

cross   noun  A pagan phallic sex symbol falsely adopted by the apostate churches to idolatrously represent Christ, who died on an upright stake rather than a cross according to Watchtower teaching.  The JW New World Translation eliminates the word cross and substitutes stake  or torture stake.  See AJWSBS, JWAVBV, JWL, INDEX.

crowd, great   See great crowd.

crucify   verb  To go along with removing the word cross the JW New World Translation eliminates crucify and substitutes impale.

crucifix   noun  Like the cross, JWs view a crucifix as a pagan idol that should be smashed or destroyed.  See cross.

crucifixion   noun    To go along with removing the word cross the JW New World Translation eliminates crucifixion and substitutes impalement.  See cross.

current magazine(s), the   The Watchtower and/or Awake! issues closest to the date in question.

NOTE:  Watchtower magazines are dated the first and fifteenth of each month, and Awake! magazines the eighth and twenty-second.  Those dated the first and eighth are usually offered together as a set, as are those of the fifteenth and twenty-second.

current offer, the   The book, magazines, subscription, or other item designated by the internal quarterly Our Kingdom Ministry as the one to be featured on the day in question.  A particular book is commonly featured for a month at a time.

cut off   1. Kill, as in, “Evildoers will be cut off at Armageddon.”  2. Shun, as in, “You must cut off disfellowshipped family members.”

D

date   noun  A specific time set by the Watchtower Society for the world to come to an end, as in “it is not advisable for us to set our sights on a certain date,” after predictions regarding 1975 proved false.  (The Watchtower July 15, 1976, page 441)

Dawn, the  The Dawn Bible Students, or members collectively.

Dawn Bible Students, the   A breakaway group loyal to the teachings of Watchtower founder Charles Taze Russell, but regarded by Jehovah’s Witnesses as part of the evil slave class.  The group took its name from Russell’s Millennial Dawn book series.

Dawnites   Individual members of the Dawn Bible Students.

deacon   obsolete  An office and term not used by Jehovah’s Witnesses.  Instead, they employ the expression ministerial servant, found in the New World Translation where other Bibles say deacon.

Death Warrant   slang used by JW b.a.’s and non-Witness relatives  The Power of Attorney each Witness signs granting an elder or other mature Witness life-and-death authority to refuse blood transfusions and blood products for the signer.

dedication   noun The decision and commitment through prayer to serve Jehovah in association with His organization, preceding baptism. This approximately parallels a Christian’s decision for Christ and saying the sinner’s prayer.  JWs speak of making one’s dedication, as in “Has he made his dedication yet?”

deity   noun  The quality of being superhuman.  Thus, a JW who says, “I acknowledge the deity of Christ,” may mislead a Christian who understands this to mean Jesus is God.

delegate   noun A JW attending an assembly or convention.

demo   slang noun  A demonstration.

demonized   Possessed by or inhabited by evil spirit persons, as in, “The scarf she bought at a yard sale was demonized, and that’s why Sister Miller has been so sick these past few months,” or, “Don’t go to that house.  The people who live there all speak in tongues, so they’re probably all demonized.”

demons, the   Evil spirits, collectively, as in, “Our worldly relatives think Jack’s problem is psychological, but we know it’s the demons.”

demonstration   A role-playing enactment of a Witness speaking to a worldly person, using a presentation or technique outlined in Our Kingdom Ministry or an assembly part outline.  For example, a JW woman might say, “I’m a householder in a demonstration in Brother Beck’s part on the Service Meeting.”

devil   Witnesses believe Satan the devil to be a cherubic angel who was appointed overseer of the newly inhabited earth but who then rebelled against God by misleading Eve into tempting Adam to sin.

devil’s organization, the   Non-Witness religions, all of earth’s governments, commercial and educational institutions form part of Satan the devil’s organization, which JWs believe embraces the rest of mankind in its membership.  “Everyone belongs either to Jehovah’s organization, or to the devil’s,” is typical Witness thinking.

Diaglott, the   The Emphatic Diaglott by Benjamin Wilson, a Greek-English interlinear translation of the New Testament used by Pastor Russell and still published by the Watchtower Society.

different   Unlike the surrounding worldly people, usually in regard to dress and grooming, but sometimes also in regard to conduct or speech.  For example, a JW father might say to his teenage son, “Robbie, you have to get a shorter haircut because Jehovah’s people must look different from the world.  Right now you look just like the worldly kids in this neighborhood.”  JWs in authority often apply a double standard, as in the example here where the father’s grooming may be identical to that of the worldly businessmen he works with, while the son must look “different from the world.”

disappointed, disappointment   euphemism Failure of the Watchtower Society’s prophetic dates for the end of the world in 1914, 1925, 1975, and so on.   Rather than say, “The Society’s dates proved false,” a JW confronted with the information would say, “Some of God’s people were disappointed in that year,” or “experienced disappointment at that time.”

disassociate   verb 1.  To separate oneself volun­tarily from the Watchtower organization.  2.  To be declared by a judicial committee to be voluntarily separated from the Watchtower—even when this is involuntary on the individual’s part.  When a young JW joins the military (regardless of whether this is through recruitment or through conscription) the elders announce that he “has disassociated himself” from the JW organization.  This wording is used apparently to avoid having the congregation disfellowship or expel one who joins the military, as such disciplinary action might be seen as a violation of the law.  See AJWSBS.

disassociated person   One who has voluntarily separated from the Watchtower organization or who has been expelled by the elders under the guise of disassociation.

disassociation   noun  The act of voluntarily separating oneself from the Watchtower organization.

disassociation letter   A signed document from an individual declaring his or her intention to separate from the Watchtower organization.  Elders on a judicial committee often request such a letter from someone they wish to remove from the congregation, especially in situations where expelling the person might prove embarrassing or illegal—as in the case of JWs who embrace Christianity or who join a military organization.

disfellowship   verb  To declare an individual expelled from the Watchtower organization and henceforth subject to compulsory shunning by Jehovah’s Witnesses.  A judicial committee takes this action in private following a closed-door hearing or trial, and then the disfellowshipping announcement is read to the congregation at a Kingdom Hall meeting, usually the Service Meeting on Thursday evening.

disfellowshipped person   A JW who has been formally expelled from the Watchtower organization.

disfellowshipping offense, a   A violation of Watchtower rules that can result in an unrepentant offender being expelled from the sect.

disgusting thing that causes desolation  (From Matthew 24:15 NWT)  The League of Nations/United Nations organization, according to Watchtower interpretation, as in “These worldly people are idolaters because they worship the disgusting thing that causes desolation.” 

disgusting thing that is causing desolation  (From Daniel 12:11 NWT)  The League of Nations/United Nations organization, according to Watchtower interpretation, as in “These worldly people are idolaters because they worship the disgusting thing that is causing desolation.” 

disloyalty  The serious sin of failing to uphold the Watchtower organization in some thought, word, or deed—seen as equivalent to turning against God.

district   noun  A territory formed by a dozen or more circuits, under the supervision of a District Overseer.

district assembly  A large JW convention held annually in a rented stadium or convention center for three days or longer with approximately 10,000 to 60,000 in attendance at each convention site in numerous cities around the globe. 

district convention  A large JW convention held annually in a rented stadium or convention center for three days or longer with approximately 10,000 to 60,000 in attendance at each convention site in numerous cities around the globe.

district overseer   Technical An elder in full-time service assigned to oversee a number of circuits (perhaps 12-20).  Accompanied by his wife, he usually visits each circuit once or twice annually, staying with a family in their home and taking meals at the homes of other families that volunteer—or staying in an apartment constructed for that purpose at a JW assembly hall.  The district overseer ranks immediately above the circuit overseers in his district and exercises limited authority over them.  He, in turn, reports to the Service Department at Brooklyn headquarters or to the Branch Office having oversight over the country where he serves.

district servant   obsolete  District overseer.

divine  adjective, divinity   noun  The quality of being superhuman.  Thus, a JW who says, “I acknowledge the divinity of Christ,” or “… that Christ is divine,” may mislead a Christian who understands this to mean Jesus is God.

do (a house, street, territory)   To visit all the homes of the (house, street, territory), as in, “When are you going to do that street?” or “We did that territory two months ago.”

domestics   The members of the anointed remnant, as recipients of the spiritual food that they distribute through the Governing Body.

donation  noun  1. A financial or other valuable gift to the Watchtower organization.  2.  Money received as the sale price for Watchtower publications at a Kingdom Hall literature counter or at a householder’s doorstep—termed a donation to deny sales activity in jurisdictions where taxed or otherwise restricted.  3.  obsolete Money received as the price of a meal at a JW convention cafeteria or snack vending booth—termed a donation to evade meals tax in certain states and localities, from March 11, 1990 through the end of 1994 when the sale of food at conventions was discontinued altogether.

double life   Many teenagers and younger children in JW families acknowledge among themselves that they live what they call a double life, playing the role of a Witness at home and at Kingdom Hall, but acting as a worldly person at school and among friends in the neighborhood.

doubt   noun   An inward questioning or feeling of uncertainty about a teaching of the Watchtower Society.  Example:  “Sarah has been staying home from the meetings because she has doubts.”   verb To question the truthfulness of one or more Watchtower teachings.  Example:  “Fred has started doubting lately, and that is why he isn’t giving talks.”

NOTE:  To doubt or entertain doubts is viewed as a symptom of spiritual sickness bordering on sin.

dress   noun  Styles of dress are a major concern for both male and female JWs.  Both are subject to reprimand from the elders if their dress is deemed inappropriate.  At various times certain styles—such as men’s bellbottom pants and women’s pantsuits—have been ruled unacceptable.

E

elder   noun  One of the men appointed by the Watchtower Society to a position of oversight in a Jehovah’s Witness congregation.

elder body   slang The body of elders of a local JW congregation.

elders, the   The body of elders of a local JW congregation.

emblems, the   The red wine and the unleavened bread (often, Jewish Kosher matzo) used in the JW version of Communion at their annual Memorial meeting.

eternal life   The reward, given only to the faithful, of living forever—in heaven for 144,000 chosen ones and on earth for additional millions.  This is not immortality, but life continues uninterrupted because the causes of death have been removed.

everlasting life   See eternal life.

evil slave   1. An individual belonging to the evil slave class.  2. loosely A former JW who now attacks or criticizes the Watchtower Society.

evil slave class   Members of the anointed remnant of the 144,000 who become unfaithful and turn against the Watchtower Society.  (From Matthew 24:48)  The term is applied principally to elderly persons who left the organization many years ago.

expectations   See premature expectations.

Ezekiel class, the   The anointed remnant allegedly at the core of the Watchtower organization—supposedly prefigured by the prophet Ezekiel.

F

factory, the   1. The mammoth printing plant at the Watchtower Society’s New York headquarters, as in “My son the Bethelite works in the factory.”   2.  The printing plant at any of the Society’s branch offices or farms.

faithful and discreet slave   1.  The remnant of the 144,000 anointed ones in their role as God’s channel of communication in fulfillment of Matthew 24:45-47.  2. loosely  The JW Governing Body serving as spokesman for the anointed remnant.  (See AJWSBS, JWAVBV.)

fall of Babylon, the   1.  The Medo-Persian conquest of the Neo-Babylonian empire in 539 B.C.E.  2.  The prophesied defeat of modern Babylon the Great—the non-JW religions—in 1919 when Watchtower leaders imprisoned on sedition charges were released from the Atlanta federal penitentiary.

fall of Babylon the Great, the   The prophesied defeat of the non-JW religions in 1919, when Watchtower leaders imprisoned on sedition charges were released from the Atlanta federal penitentiary.

false prophet, a    1. A self-proclaimed spokesman for God whose predictions fail to come true.  2. A term wrongly applied to Jehovah’s Witnesses by their enemies.  Example:  “Jehovah’s Witnesses, in their eagerness for Jesus’ second coming, have suggested dates that turned out to be incorrect.  Because of this, some have called them false prophets.”  (Awake! March 22, 1993, page 4)

NOTE:  Although Jehovah’s Witnesses themselves have predicted the end of the world for several different dates—1914, 1918, 1925, and 1975 being the most prominent—and recently dropped their longstanding proclamation of “the Creator’s promise of a peaceful and secure new world before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away”  (Awake! masthead on page 4 of each issue from March 1988  through October 1995)—they are taught to believe that the term false prophet does not apply to them, because they never claimed to be a prophet in the first place.  However, see the box titled “a prophet yet not a prophet” on page 90.)

false prophet, the   The dual world power composed of Britain and the United States (the Anglo-American world power), allied with Satan the Devil and the United Nations organization, but finally destroyed in the Lake of Fire, according to Watchtower interpretations of the Bible’s apocalyptic prophecies.

false religion   All of the world’s non-JW religions, collectively.  Example:  “The great tribulation will begin with the battle of Babylon and the destruction of false religion, followed by the battle of Armageddon and the destruction of man’s governments.”

false religionist   A member or adherent of a non-Witness religion.

farm, the   1.  The Watchtower Farms complex at Wallkill, New York, as in, “My son the bethelite works at the farm.”  (Note:  The farm includes a massive printing factory where English-language Watchtower and Awake! magazines are produced.)  2.  Any of the Society’s farm facilities staffed by full-time Watchtower personnel who live in dormitories on site.

field, the  The non-JW community viewed as a territory for witnessing, as in, “After you have developed your presentation, the next step is to try it out in the field.”

field service   Technical  Door-to-door literature distribu­ tion, return visits, home Bible studies, and other activity reportable to the Society.

field service report   1. A printed form that each Witness fills out weekly or monthly and turns in to the local congregation to report his or her hours spent in field service, number of books distributed, number of magazines distributed, and so on.   2. The figures listed on such a report.  Example:  “My field service report was low this month because I was down with the flu for two weeks.”

first resurrection   The raising to life of dead JWs and first century saints, alleged to have occurred in the year 1918, when these were supposedly given spirit-bodies to live in heaven.

flock, little   The 144,000 heaven-bound Jehovah’s Witnesses as prefigured by Jesus’ words at Luke 12:32.  (See AJWSBS, JWAVBV.)

flood, the   The worldwide deluge of Noah’s day.

Fluosol-DA   (See Artificial blood.)

Food Service Department   obsolete  The department responsible for preparing and serving food at a JW convention, staffed by volunteers.  Stands selling hamburgers and snacks plus a cafeteria serving meals—usually for meal tickets sold in advance—were standard features of JW assemblies for decades.  Starting in the early 1990’s food was no longer “sold” but was made available on a “donation” basis.  Then, commencing in 1995 the food service arrangement was dispensed with, and the Society instructed JW families to bring their own food to conventions.

force, active  The Holy Spirit.  See active force.

free home Bible study   A regularly scheduled discussion conducted by a JW with a prospective convert, usually in the prospect’s home for an hour each week featuring a paragraph-by-paragraph examination of a Watchtower publication—not the Bible itself.  Although Witnesses usually refer to this among themselves as simply “a study,” they generally say “free home Bible study” when offering it to an outsider.

friends, the   always plural Jehovah’s Witnesses, collectively, as in, “I’m having some of the friends over my house for a get-together,” or “Some of the friends were upset by a remark you made from the platform.”

full-time service   The status and activity of a Witness formally appointed to serve as pioneer devoting sixty or more hours each month to public preaching in the territory.

G

Gehenna   Greek (taken from Hebrew)  Second death, extinction, the Lake of Fire in which the unrighteous dead are instantly annihilated and permanently destroyed.  See AJWSBS and JWAVBV.

generation   noun  1.  current definition “Rather than providing a rule for measuring time, the term ‘generation’ as used by Jesus refers principally to contemporary people of a certain historical period, with their identifying characteristics.”—The Watchtower, November 1, 1995, page 17.  2.  obsolete “The Hebrews...reckon seventy-five years as one generation.”—Awake! April 8, 1988, page 14.  3.  obsolete “It does not refer to a period of time, which some have tried to interpret as 30, 40, 70 or even 120 years, but, rather, it refers to people, the people living at the ‘beginning of pangs of distress’ for this condemned world system.”—The Watchtower October 15, 1980, page 31.  4.  obsolete “A ‘generation’ might be reckoned as equivalent to a century (practically the present limit) or one hundred and twenty years...”—Studies in the Scriptures volume 4, 1908 edition, page 604.  5.  obsolete “Or...it would not be inconsistent to reckon the ‘generation’ from 1878 to 1914—36 1/2 years...”—Studies in the Scriptures volume 4, 1908 edition, page 605.

generation, the   obsolete Short for ‘the 1914 generation,’ or ‘the generation that saw 1914’ as in, “We know Armageddon is coming soon, because the generation has nearly passed away.”

generation, this   The people Jesus allegedly pointed forward to in our day when he said, “Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.”  (Luke 21:32 KJV)  See box.

generation, the 1914   obsolete  Short for ‘the generation that saw 1914’ as in, “We don’t have much longer to wait, brothers, because the 1914 generation is getting well up in years now.”

generation that saw 1914, the   obsolete  Collectively, the people born before 1914 who saw the events of that year—and who were expected to live to see the end of the world and the establishment of a New Order worldwide under Christ’s millennial reign.  This expression became obsolete when the November 1, 1995 Watchtower revised the prophetic interpretation of Jesus’ words at Luke 21:32.

Gentile Times   obsolete. The 2520-year period from 607 B.C. to 1914 A.D., allegedly foretold by Christ at Luke 21:24 as a fixed interval between the desolation of the Davidic kingdom in ancient Jerusalem and the restoration of this kingdom under Christ.  On this basis, early Watch Tower leaders prophesied the world’s end for October 4/5, 1914; the Society teaches nowadays that Christ took power as king in heaven on that date.  Now called the appointed times of the nations.

get your time in   slang  To spend sufficient time in field service to reach one’s goal of reportable hours—an expression used primarily in reference to pioneers who have assigned monthly or annual goals. 

Gilead or Gilead School   noun  The Watch­ tower Society’s school or training program (of several weeks’ duration) for full-time missionaries sent to foreign lands at the organization’s expense.

Gilead class   The missionary-trainees, collectively, who attend Gilead in a particular year, as in, “Brother Smith and Brother Jones were both members of the Gilead class of ‘68”—comparable to a college’s graduating class. 

go out   slang  Engage in field service activity, as in, “I go out every Saturday morning.”

goal  noun  The number of hours set by the organization as a monthly or annual target for JW pioneers or publishers.  Formerly, quota.  (When I pioneered from 1969 through 1971 a regular pioneer’s assigned goal was 1200 hours per year.—author)

goat   slang  A worldly person who has firmly rejected the message preached by Jehovah’s Witnesses.  (Derived from the Watchtower interpretation of Matthew 25:32-46.)

god   noun  An angelic or superhuman created being.  This usage may be difficult to discern in oral speech, as when a JW is shown evidence that Jesus is God and responds by saying, “Yes, I am aware that the Bible refers to Jesus as god.”

god, a   noun  An angelic or superhuman created being.  The JW New World Translation renders John 1:1 to say, “the Word was a god.”  (See JWAVBV and The Jehovah’s Witnesses New Testament by Robert Countess.)

God   noun  The one true Supreme Being.  JWs restrict this term to God the Father and believe that he must be addressed by the name Jehovah.

God’s earthly organization  1. The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania and its related corporate entities.  2. The corporation together with its followers.

God’s heavenly organization   Christ, those of the 144,000 already in heaven, and the angels, all functioning together as an organized body.

God’s organization  1. The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania and its related corporate entities.  2. The corporation together with its followers.  3. God’s universal organization embracing all faithful creatures: Christ, those of the 144,000 already in heaven, the holy angels, and JWs alive on earth.

God’s universal organization  All faithful creatures—Christ, those of the 144,000 already in heaven, the holy angels, and JWs alive on earth—functioning together as an organized body under divine direction, and represented on earth by the Watchtower Society.

God’s wifely organization   God’s universal organization, as pictured by the symbolic woman of Revelation 12:1-6.

God’s woman  God’s wifely organization.

good luck   Since Witnesses avoid using this expression, anyone who says, “Good luck!” can usually be assumed not to be a JW.

good news, the   This good news, the JW “gospel” message which is different from the gospel or good news preached by Christians down through the centuries.  See this good news.

good progress   Acceptance of Watchtower teaching and obedience to the Society’s dictates, as in, “My student is making good progress and will be baptized at the next assembly.”

good standing, in      The status of a baptized Witness who has not been disfellowshipped, nor recently reproved, and is not under any accusation of misconduct.

Governing Body or governing body   The ruling council for Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide, seen as the successors to the twelve apostles.  Until the early 1970’s the Governing Body was synonymous with the Board of Directors of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania.  Then it was expanded and placed above the various JW corporate entities.  In recent years the Governing Body’s membership has varied from 11 to 17 men.

grace   obsolete Jehovah’s Witnesses never speak of God’s grace.  They use the expression “undeserved kindness” which replaces “grace” in the JW New World Translation.

great crowd   Collectively, the vast majority of JWs whose hope is to live forever on an earth restored to paradise.  (Derived from Revelation 7:9.)  (See AJWSBS.)

great tribulation, the   God’s final two-part execution of judgment against the non-JW world, consisting of the Battle of Babylon in which all other religious groups will be destroyed and then the Battle of Armageddon in which all human governments and all surviving non-Witnesses will be annihilated.

Greek Scriptures   Short for the Christian Greek Scriptures, the name Jehovah’s Witnesses use for the New Testament.

grooming   noun  Men’s hairstyles, beards, moustaches—all are of great concern to JWs.  At various times certain  male hair, beard, and moustache styles have been ruled unacceptable for JWs.  In most areas Witness men are required to be clean shaven—or in some cases small moustaches are allowed—in order to receive any “privileges” in the congregation.  Hair over the collar or over the ears has generally been prohibited.

group, car  See car group.

H

hall, the   Kingdom Hall

hall cleaning   A weekly group cleaning activity usually assigned to various book study groups by rotation.

Hebrew Scriptures   The Old Testament.  (Use of the term Old Testament immediately identifies one as a non-Witness in most cases.)

headquarters    noun  The Brooklyn, New York, corporate headquarters complex of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society—also referred to as Bethel or Brooklyn Bethel.

headship   noun  1. The biblical principle assigning the family leadership role to the husband, as interpreted by the Watchtower Society.  2. Biblically assigned leadership roles in the local congregation and in the wider organization.

hearing   noun  A judicial committee hearing.

heaven   1. The place in outer space where God dwells and where the 144,000 go following their resurrection.  2. obsolete The Pleiades star cluster, in particular its brightest star Alcyone, long taught by the Watchtower Society to be the location of God’s throne.  See RESCUE.

Hebrew Scriptures, the   The preferred term among JWs for the Old Testament.  Use of the term Old Testament marks a person as a non-Witness.

hell   theological  1. An imaginary place of torment thought to exist by worldly people but actually nonexistent because humans have no immortal soul or spirit capable of surviving death.  2.  The  common grave of dead mankind, a figurative term rather than an actual place. 

For more information, see AJWSBS.

higher education   Post-secondary school training—an expression with strong negative connotations, since college education for the children of Jehovah’s Witnesses is viewed as a waste of time and, worse yet, a satanic snare.

Holy Ghost   A term intentionally avoided by Jehovah’s Witnesses, since they deny the Spirit’s deity and personality.  See holy spirit.

Holy Spirit   See holy spirit.

holy spirit   Not capitalized in JW usage God’s active force: the invisible, impersonal, and inanimate force Jehovah uses to accomplish his will.

home Bible study   A regularly scheduled discussion conducted by a JW with a prospective convert, usually in the prospect’s home for an hour each week featuring a paragraph-by-paragraph examination of a Watchtower publication—not the Bible itself.

householder   noun  1. A non-Witness visited in door-to-door ministry.  2.  A Witness playing the part of a non-Witness in a demonstration on a meeting part at Kingdom Hall.

hymn   noun  1. A disgusting song sung in mock worship at Christendom’s churches,  2. obsolete A song sung at JW worship services during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.  Today’s JWs sing songs and are highly offended if these are referred to as hymns.

hymnal   noun  1. A book of disgusting songs sung in mock worship at Christendom’s churches,  2. obsolete A songbook published by the Watchtower Society and used at JW worship services during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.  (See JWL.)  Today’s JWs use songbooks and are highly offended if these are referred to as hymnals.

I

IBSA   Technical  The International Bible Students Association.

immortality   Theological  Deathlessness and indestructability—a quality possessed only by Jehovah God in Witness theology, since wicked men and angels will be annihilated, while the righteous will be rewarded with eternal life.

impale   verb   To hang upon a stake.  In order to agree with its denial of the Cross, the JW New World Translation substitutes impale for crucify.

imperfect, imperfection   The condition of fallen man, inclined toward error and evil—roughly equivalent to the Christian term “sinner.”

in good standing   See good standing, in.

in the truth   slang  Associated with the Watchtower organization.  Examples:  “I’ve been in the truth ten years; how long have you been in the truth?”  “I was born in the truth.”

inactive   adjective, technical  Having no time reported in field service for the preceding six months.

inactive publisher   technical  A Witness who has not reported any time for the preceding six months.  [NOTE:  Only active publishers are considered for appointments and for certain privileges.]

inappropriate facial expression  technical A point of counsel addressed when a student in the Theocratic Ministry School is working on “personal appearance” while giving a student talk.

individual choice   The alleged freedom of each JW to decide for himself or herself on such matters as whether or not to take a blood transfusion, whether or not to vote in an election, and whether or not to obey a draft board’s order to report for noncombatant duty.  In actuality JWs making the “wrong” choice are put on trial and punished.

information board  The term bulletin board was stricken from JW vocabulary decades ago due to its supposedly unsavory etymology.  Witnesses trace its derivation to the papal bull, and certainly no loyal Witness would want to refer to the Kingdom Hall corkboard as a place for displaying documents issued by the Roman Catholic pope.  Notices are hung on the information board.  (It is technically permissible for JWs to use the term bulletin board when referring to such an object at their place of employment or at the supermarket, but the habit of substituting the expression information board often carries over to this usage as well.)

Insight   The two-volume Watchtower book Insight on the Scriptures published in 1988 as a replacement for the Aid book.  See JWL.

inspired   adjective  Directed or controlled by a superhuman source, especially by God.

instruction talk     A talk of 15-20 minutes delivered at the beginning of the Theocratic Ministry School meeting by a capable adult male.

integrity   noun  Faithfulness to God through full compliance with all Watchtower Society requirements.

integrity keeper  One who maintains faithfulness to God through full compliance with all Watchtower Society requirements.

Interlinear, the   The Watchtower Society’s Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures.

International Bible Students Associa­tion   Technical  1. The organizational name Pastor Russell instructed his followers to use to identify themselves and to advertise their meetings.  2. The British corporation formed by Pastor Russell in 1914, which continues to function as the sect’s legal arm in Britain.

invisible presence   theological  1. Christ’s Second Coming, unseen by human eyes, in the year 1914.   2.  obsolete  Christ’s Second Coming in the year 1874, unseen by human eyes, as proclaimed by Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.

irregular   adjective,  Technical  Failing to report time during one or more of the previous six months.

irregular publisher   Technical A JW officially approved to participate in field service but who has failed to report time during one or more of the previous six months.

J

JW   abbreviation Jehovah’s Witness or Jehovah’s Witnesses—an acronym commonly used by outsiders and finding some slang usage by Witnesses themselves but seldom found in Watchtower publications.

Jehovah    noun   1. The name of the true God, the God of the Bible, as found in the King James Version at Exodus 6:3 and Psalm 83:18.  2. God the Father, in Jehovah’s Witness usage, not the Son or the Holy Spirit. 

NOTES:

(1)  Watchtower publications have admitted that Jehovah is an incorrect rendering of the Hebrew YHWH, often rendered Yahweh in other modern translations.  See JWAVBV, AJWSBS.

(2)  To reinforce their antitrinitarian teaching, JWs restrict the use of the name Jehovah and apply it exclusively to God the Father.  So, when a Christian tries to establish the deity of Christ and tells a Witness, “Jesus is Jehovah,” the JW hears this as, “Jesus is the Father”­ —a thought contrary even to traditional orthodox theology and ridiculous to the JW’s ears.

(3)  Because Jehovah’s Witnesses are accustomed to referring to the Deity always by the name Jehovah, when they hear non-Witnesses speak about God they are often left with the feeling that this is someone else, not their Jehovah.  The divisive effect of this word-usage pattern contributes to the overall religious and social isolation of sect members from outsiders, one of the goals of any mind-control language.

(4)  As part of their systematic effort to slant their New World Translation to conceal the deity of Christ, Watchtower leaders insert the name Jehovah over two hundred times where Greek manuscripts actually say kyrios (Lord).  Therefore, many verses that Christians would turn to in a theological discussion take on a completely different meaning for JWs.  For example, the familiar words of Colossians 3:23-24 read this way in the New International Version (NIV) :  “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”  But the New World Translation changes the meaning in the eyes of JWs by having those verses say, “Whatever you are doing, work at it whole-souled as to Jehovah, and not to men, for you know that it is from Jehovah you will receive the due reward of the inheritance.  Slave for the Master, Christ.”

Jehovah Witness [sic]   erroneous   A common but incorrect form never used by the JW organization itself but often used in error by outside observers.  Occasionally a poorly educated Witness will also be heard to use this expression.

Jehovah’s chariot  Jehovah’s universal organization, as pictured by the chariot in Ezekiel’s vision.

Jehovah’s Christian Witnesses  Jehovah’s Witnesses.  An alternative form of the sect’s name, employed when there is a need or special desire to emphasize that they profess Christianity.

Jehovah’s earthly organization  1. The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania and its related corporate entities.  2. The corporation together with its followers.

Jehovah’s heavenly organization   Christ, those of the 144,000 already in heaven, and the holy angels, all functioning together as an organized body.

Jehovah’s organization  1. The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania and its related corporate entities.  2. The corporation together with its followers.  3. God’s universal organization embracing all faithful creatures: Christ, those of the 144,000 already in heaven, the holy angels, and JWs alive on earth.

Jehovah’s universal organization  All faithful creatures—Christ, those of the 144,000 already in heaven, the holy angels, and JWs alive on earth—functioning together as an organized body under divine direction, and represented on earth by the Watchtower Society.

Jehovah’s Witness, a  To refer to someone as a Jehovah’s Witness usually identifies the speaker as a non-Witness; a JW is taught to say one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, thus affirming that the expression is a descriptive term rather than a denominational name.  (See Jehovah’s Witnesses.)

Jehovah’s Witnesses (also Jehovah’s witnesses)  Second Watchtower president Joseph F. Rutherford asked assembled members to approve this new name in 1931 to distinguish the sect from other Russellite “Bible Students.”  A lower case “w” was often used by Rutherford and some later writers to emphasize the claim that this is not a denominational name but rather a description of what the members actually are—witnesses of God.

Jehovah’s wifely organization   Jehovah’s universal organization, as pictured by the symbolic woman of Revelation 12:1-6.

Jehovah’s Witnesses, one of   A JW.  JWs use this expression to affirm that they are actually witness-bearers of God rather than members of a denomination named Jehovah’s Witnesses, JWs are taught to use this expression in place of a Jehovah’s Witness.

Jehovah’s woman  Jehovah’s wifely organization.

Jeremiah class, the   The anointed remnant allegedly at the core of the Watchtower organization—supposedly prefigured by the prophet Jeremiah.

Jesus   noun  The name Michael the Archangel—the first spirit creature God created—took on when he was miraculously transferred to the womb of the virgin Mary to be born as a human.  As an angelic creature, Jesus is a god but not God.  See JWAVBV.

Jesus Christ   = Jesus the Messiah, or Jesus the Anointed One, a title not correctly applied to Mary’s son until he was 30 years old and anointed with “holy spirit” at the time of his baptism by John.

Jonadab, a   obsolete  In JW terminology of the 1930’s a Jonadab was a member of the great crowd—a Jehovah’s Witness with the earthly hope—held to be prefigured by Jehonadab son of Rechab who mounted Jehu’s chariot to ride with him (2 Kings 10:15 NWT).

judicial action   An official move to set up a judicial committee and summon before it an individual accused or suspected of wrongdoing.  Example:  “When the gossip in the congregation started to get out of hand, the brothers had to take judicial action.”

judicial committee  An officially appointed body of three (occasionally more) elders assigned to investigate and judge a JW suspected or accused of wrongdoing.  Essentially a panel of judges in an ecclesiastical court, but with broad powers to investigate and interrogate an individual, call eyewitnesses, compel testimony, pass judgment, and execute punishment.  A judicial committee is case-specific, so that in a congregation with elders A, B, C, D, and E, at a given moment in time A, B, and C may constitute a judicial committee investigating John Smith for adultery, B, C, and E may constitute a judicial committee investigating Jane Doe for cooking Thanksgiving dinner, and if Joe Witness is accused of smoking a new committee must be appointed.

judicial committee hearing   A formal ecclesiastical court trial in which a JW accused or suspected of wrongdoing faces a panel of judges—elders who act together as investigator, prosecutor, judge, jury, and executioner.

judicial committee meeting   A formal session held by the (usually) three elders forming a judicial committee.  Besides actual hearings with others present, meetings may also be held by the committee members alone to plan strategy, to arrive at a judgment, and so on.

judicial decisions   Rulings made by a congregation judicial committee in regard to persons placed on trial as to their disfellowshipping, disciplining, reinstatement, and so on.

judicial matter   Misconduct that has resulted can result in the individual being summoned before a judicial committee.  Examples:  An elder might tell his wife, “I can’t answer your question about why Peter Rogers walked out in the middle of the meeting last night, because it involves a judicial matter.”  Or, a father might tell his teenage son, “If you put your hands all over Susan like that, it’s more than I can handle through family discipline; it’s become a judicial matter.”

Judge, the   Judge Rutherford

Judge Rutherford   Joseph Franklin Rutherford (1869-1942), the Watchtower Society’s second president, exercised one-man rule over the JW organization from Pastor Russell’s death in 1916 until his own demise in 1942.  He authored most of the sect’s books and other materials published during his administration.

K

KIT or K.I.T.   Abbreviation  The Watchtower Society’s Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures.

K.M.  abbreviation  The internal monthly publication Our Kingdom Ministry.

k.p.    slang, abbreviation  Kingdom privilege, often used sarcastically to describe Kingdom Hall cleaning  or other undesirable assignments.  Resem­blance to the military use of “k.p.” is both intentional and appropriate.

keep integrity  To live in strict obedience to all of God’s laws (as interpreted by the Watchtower Society) without deviation.

Kingdom Hall   The local meeting place of a JW congregation—sometimes a rented room or building, but usually a structure owned by the sect through some corporate or trusteeship arrangement.  The typical Kingdom Hall seats between 50 and 300 people and, viewed externally, resembles surrounding buildings, regardless of whether these are commercial or residential.  Kingdom Halls do not have steeples; if a former church is purchased as a Kingdom Hall, the steeple is removed.

kingdom interests   Field service, meeting attendance, personal study, and other Witness-related activities, as in, “Avoid letting hobbies assume too much importance, lest they cause you to push kingdom interests aside!”

Kingdom Interlinear   The Watchtower Society’s Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures, featuring the Greek text accompanied by an interlinear English rendering in one column and the New World Translation in another column.  See JWL.

kingdom message, the   The “good news” preached to the public by Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Kingdom Ministry  obsolete or shortened form.   Our Kingdom Ministry, an internal monthly publication of 4 or 8 pages featuring instructions for field service and for other aspects of life as a JW.  This publication’s name was changed from Kingdom Ministry to Our Kingdom Service in 1976 when the Society began teaching that rank-and-file JWs were not ministers.  Then it was renamed Our Kingdom Ministry  in 1982 when the Society flip-flopped back to the old teaching.  Witnesses often omit the word Our from the title in casual speech and even from the speaker’s platform at Kingdom Hall, as in, “I forgot to take my Kingdom Ministry with me to the meeting.”    See JWL and AJWSBS.

Kingdom Service, Our  See Our Kingdom Ministry.

Kingdom Ministry School   Technical  A training program for elders, with classes held either at a central location or at local Kingdom Halls and with sessions lasting from one day to 4 weeks.

kingdom privilege    slang  A sarcastic description of Kingdom Hall cleaning or  some other undesirable assignment.  Resem­ blance to the military’s “k.p.” is both intentional and appropriate.

L

last days   Theological  1. The predetermined interval of time from 1914 to the Battle of Armageddon.  2. obsolete The harvest period from 1874 to 1914.

lead, those taking the   1.  The elders in the local congregation.  2. Anyone assigned oversight.

Use of this wording from Hebrews 13:17 (NWT) reminds JWs of the verse’s command to “be obedient” and “be submissive” to such ones.

leader   noun  Jesus Christ.   JWs adamantly refuse to refer to anyone in the organizational hierarchy as a leader, insisting that they have no leader but Christ—in spite of their referring to such office holders as those taking the lead.  Thus JWs dispute the fact that, by definition, those taking the lead are leaders.

legal corporation, the   The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania and/or one of its incorporated branch offices, as opposed to the wider unincorporated spiritual entity of Jehovah’s Witnesses.  Example:  “The government could close down the legal corporation, but they could never shut down Jehovah’s organization.”

library, the   1. The Kingdom Hall library featuring Watchtower Society publications including annual bound volumes of The Watchtower and  Awake! going back several decades.  Since JWs must live by the Society’s interpretations and instructions, the library is consulted often.  2. The room at Kingdom Hall used to house the library, but also often used elders’ meetings and judicial committee hearings.

lie  noun  A falsehood presented to someone entitled to know the truth of a matter.  verb To present a falsehood to someone entitled to know the truth.  Deception used to safeguard Witnesses in danger or to lead a potential convert into the safety of God’s organization is not considered lying.  See Index of Watchtower Errors.

life   noun Eternal life in the paradise earth after Armageddon, as in, “You must stick close to Jehovah’s organization if you want to gain life.”

light   noun  Enlightenment or clarification received from God though the Watchtower Society.

light, new   A revised teaching that replaces previously held ideas.

light got brighter, the   God revealed new information to replace previously held viewpoints.  Based on the Watchtower interpretation of Proverbs 4:18, this is the excuse most commonly offered by JWs who are shown the organization’s doctrinal changes.  (See RESCUE and JWAVBV for effective responses.)

listening ear, a   A non-Witness willing to receive instruction from Jehovah’s Witnesses, as in, “Sister Cramer was invited in at that door and has not yet come out; she must have found a listening ear.”

literature   Publications of the Watchtower Society, especially those offered to the general public, as in, “I’ve spent a lot of time in service this month, but I haven’t placed much literature.”

literature servant   The ministerial servant appointed by local elders to handle the Society’s publications other than magazines.  He is responsible for requisitioning and stocking this literature, and for dispensing it to Witnesses at Kingdom Hall.  The literature servant works under the direction of the Field Service Overseer and places orders for literature through the congregation’s Secretary.

literature room   The cubicle or small room used at Kingdom Hall for storing and dispensing Watchtower books, booklets, bound volumes, and other literature with the exception of periodicals—usually equipped with a window or dutch door to provide counter service.  Also called a book room.

little flock   Theological  The 144,000 heaven-bound anointed ones.

long hair   A male hairstyle that overlaps the collar or extends over the tops of the ears—a forbidden style that would usually disqualify a male Witness from any privileges in the congregation and that could bring more severe consequences.   Actually, it is not length that makes hair long in the JW view:  an elder whose greased, slicked-down hair measures twelve inches or longer as he combs it straight back from his forehead over the top of his head to a point where it stops just above the back of his collar may initiate official action to punish a young man who wears his hair one or two inches long but who allows it to hang over his collar or over the tops of his ears.

Lord’s Evening Meal, the   The JW equivalent of Communion, served annually after sundown on the Jewish calendar date of Nisan 14 (usually in March or April), with partaking of the cup and loaf limited to the anointed remnant.  The sect reported worldwide attendance of 12,288,917 in 1994, with a mere 8617 partaking.  See AJWSBS.

loving-kindness   The New World Translation’s rendering of a Hebrew term variously translated as love, goodness, or mercy in other Bibles, leading JWs to use this more awkward expression in their every-day speech.

luck, lucky   Fortune, fortunate.  Witnesses avoid saying luck or lucky due to their belief that the expression gives recognition to “the god of Good Luck.”  (Isaiah 65:11 New World Translation)  Yet they will wish someone “the best” and call someone “fortunate”—expressions that mean the same thing.

M

magazine(s)   noun  The Society’s Watchtower and Awake! magazines.

magazine day   A day set aside for door-to-door distribution of The Watchtower and Awake! magazines—usually a certain Saturday or Saturdays.

magazine room   The cubicle or small room used at Kingdom Hall for storing and dispensing Watchtower and Awake! magazines—usually equipped with a window or dutch door to provide counter service.

magazine route   A JW’s collection of addresses where the occupants routinely purchase the latest Watchtower and Awake! magazines when visited every two weeks.

magazine servant   The ministerial servant appointed by local elders to handle the Society’s magazines.  He is responsible for requisitioning and stocking them, and for dispensing them to Witnesses at Kingdom Hall.  The magazine servant works under the direction of the Field Service Overseer and places orders for magazines through the congregation’s Secretary.

magazines, the   The Watchtower and Awake!

making good progress   Readily accepting Watch­tower indoctrina­tion without objections or problems, as in, “My study, Mrs. Jones, is making good progress and will soon be attending meetings, I’m sure.”

man of lawlessness, the   1. An unnamed character of Bible prophecy prefiguring the clergy of Christendom.  2. The clergy (of non-Witness churches) as a class.  [from 2 Thessalonians 2:3 in the New World Translation]

NOTE:  Witnesses also refer to clergy of other churches as “the antichrist” and consider them as the worst villains, second only to “apostate” ex-Witnesses.

manuscript talk   A public lecture given by a speaker who is supplied by the Watchtower Society the complete word-for-word text, rather than merely an outline.  Witnesses usually pay special attention to manuscript talks, on the assumption that the matter is of such great importance that the Society must be sure of its exact wording.

map  See territory map.

mark   verb   To single out a Witness for exclusion from social activities due to misbehavior that does not merit disfellowshipping.  The individual is still greeted as a “brother” or “sister” but is viewed as undesirable association.

marking talk   A service meeting part in which an elder representing the body identifies an individual’s conduct as disapproved, without actually naming the offender.  Listeners who recognize the situation then mark that person.

meat   noun  Deeper teachings normally reserved for students who have already made good progress—such as complex prophetic or chronological calculations, or the requirements to refuse military service and civilian alternative service and to allow one’s child to die rather than receive blood plasma or platelets.

meeting   noun  Any of the five services held regularly each week at Kingdom Hall: the Public Talk and the Watchtower Study usually held consecutively on Sunday morning, the Ministry School and the Service Meeting usually held consecutively on Thursday evening, and the Congregation Book Study usually held on Tuesday evening in a number of smaller groups, one or more at Kingdom Hall and the others at private homes.

meetings, the   The five weekly services of the local congregation, collectively, as in, “Marge must be spiritually sick, because she’s stopped coming to the meetings.”

meeting for service   A brief 15-minute to 30-minute session held at Kingdom Hall or another meeting place for service prior to departing for the territory.  This usually consists of discussion of the daily text and/or suggested presentations.  Not to be confused with Service Meeting.

meeting place for service   A private home where Witnesses gather for a brief formal session prior to departing for the territory.  This is usually the same place where a Congregation Book Study Meeting is held on Tuesday nights.  Formerly called a rendezvous.

member   noun  A JW will vehemently deny being a “member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses.”  He will insist that he is actually a witness-bearer for Jehovah God, not a mere member of denomination.  In a fine distinction, however, he will admit to being a member of the local congregation.

Memorial   noun The JW equivalent of a Communion service, held annually after sundown on the Jewish calendar date of Nisan 14 (usually in March or April), with partaking of the cup and loaf limited to the anointed remnant.  The sect reported worldwide attendance of 12,288,917 in 1994, with a mere 8617 partaking.  See AJWSBS.

mental regulating  Jehovah’s Witness indoctrination, especially of children—an expression drawn from the New World Translation’s rendering of “admonition” (KJV) or “instruction” (NIV) at Ephesians 6:4.

Michael   noun  1. The first angel God created who became like a son to him, helped with the rest of creation, and entered Mary’s womb to be born as Jesus.  Upon his resurrection and return to heaven Christ resumed the role of Michael the archangel.  2. Especially among young African-American JWs during the 1980’s Popular singer Michael Jackson who was a Jehovah’s Witness in good standing until mid-1987 when he “disassociated himself” according to the sect’s spokesmen, or was forced out for suggestive dancing and occult practices according to other sources.

mighty God  Jesus Christ, the first angel God created, who became like a son to Him.   In JW terminology the Father is the Almighty God, while the Son is only a mighty god.  (See AJWSBS and JWAVBV.)

milk   noun  Elementary biblical knowledge suitable for new converts, such as the non-trinitarian nature of God, the limitation of heavenly life to 144,000, and the apostate nature of all non-JW churches.

minister   noun  1.  A Jehovah’s Witness.  Prior to 1976, and now since 1982, the Watchtower Society has been teaching that all JWs are ministers.  2.  obsolete  A JW appointed to an official position in a JW congregation, such as an elder or ministerial servant, according to the teaching that prevailed from 1976 to 1982.  This doctrinal flip-flop was reflected in name changes of the internal publication now titled Our Kingdom Ministry. See AJWSBS and JWL.

ministerial servant   organizational  A man appointed to a position in a Jehovah’s Witness congregation roughly equivalent to that of a deacon in a church that also has teaching elders.  Ministerial servants operate the book room and the magazine room at Kingdom Hall, supervise the sound amplification equipment, handle the congregation accounts, direct the attendants, maintain and assign territory maps, and assist the elders in other ways.

ministry   noun  1.  The service performed by a Jehovah’s Witness.  Prior to 1976, and now since 1982, the Watchtower Society has been teaching that all JWs share in ministry.  2.  obsolete  The work of a JW appointed to an official position in a JW congregation, such as an elder or ministerial servant, according to the teaching that prevailed from 1976 to 1982.  This flip-flop was reflected in name changes of the internal publication now titled Our Kingdom Ministry. See AJWSBS and JWL.

ministry school   1.  The Theocratic Ministry School, usually in session at Kingdom Hall one hour weekly on Thursday or Friday evening and open to most meeting attenders to train them in door to door work and public speaking.  2.  The Kingdom Ministry School, a training program for elders, with classes held either at a central location or at local Kingdom Halls and with sessions lasting from one day to 4 weeks.

miracle   noun A supernatural act performed by God as recorded in the Bible.  JWs believe God no longer performs miracles, except in rare instances of providing miraculous protection for Witnesses under persecution.

Miss  A title used in addressing or speaking about an unmarried worldly woman.  See Mr., Mrs.

missionary   noun  A JW trained at Gilead School for full-time ministry in foreign lands at the organiza­tion’s expense.

model prayer, the   The Lord’s Prayer.

modern-day Witnesses of Jehovah   Watchtower followers from the time of C. T. Russell’s break with his Adventist mentors until now,  as distinguished from faithful Old Testament characters, first century Christians, and true believers down through the ages—all of whom were “Witnesses of Jehovah,” or “Jehovah’s Witnesses,” according to the sect.

mouthpiece, God’s    1. The Watchtower Society in its role as God’s spokesman.  2. obsolete Charles Taze Russell, before his successor J.F. Rutherford revised the teaching to mean the Watchtower Society.

move ahead   Usually as part of the expression move ahead with Jehovah’s organization, meaning readily accept ‘new truths’ as these are revealed through the Watchtower Society. 

This is a prime example of the leadership using “loaded language” to put a positive slant on doctrinal changes, with the implication that any who do not instantly conform are left behind for foolishly rejecting progress.

Mr., Mrs.  A title used in addressing or speaking about a worldly person.  For example, a JW saying to another Witness, “John, I’d like you to meet Mr. Jenkins,” is telling John that Jenkins is not a JW; if Jenkins had been a JW, it would have been phrased, “John, I’d like you to meet Brother Jenkins.”  Similarly with Mrs. or Miss and Sister.

Ms.  A title Witnesses find offensive and avoid using in addressing women, because they view its very use as submission to the influence of the feminist movement.  If a JW does refer to someone in the third person as “Ms. Parker,” the intent is to label her as a feminist.

Mystery book, the   Short for the book Then Is Finished the Mystery of God, a commentary on portions of Revelation published by the Watchtower Society in 1969, but replaced by another book a dozen years later.  (While the Mystery book was current, an observer overhearing one Witness say to another, “I spent my time at the beach reading the Mystery book,” might have incorrectly assumed that meant a genre novel.)

N

name, God’s   Jehovah, the rendition of the Tetragrammaton officially endorsed by the Watchtower Society.

name, the or Name, the   Jehovah.  See God’s name.

national anthem  A musical piece dreaded by JWs, who view it as representing satanic rulership.  Forbidden to stand up when it is played, and often encountering abuse for taking that position, JWs cringe at the sound.  See AJWSBS.

nations, the  A disparaging term JWs use for non-Witnesses, reminiscent of the Pharisees’ view of Gentiles.

need, the  noun  The lack of a sufficient number of active Witnesses to cover a given territory satisfactorily—as determined officially by the Watchtower Society.  Example:  “Sister, you are to be commended for uprooting your family and relocating to serve in an area where the need is great.”

neutrality   noun   1. Refusal to take sides in inter­ national disputes or other worldly conflicts.  2. Refusal to accept induction into the armed forces or into civilian alternative service under conscription.  In situations where such a stand by a religious organization compelling obedience on the part of young male members may be illegal,  neutrality often serves as a convenient code word to conceal the official position of Jehovah’s Witnesses when discussing these matters in the hearing of others.

new light   A revised teaching that replaces previously held ideas.

New Order   The post-Armageddon world in which only Jehovah’s Witnesses remain alive and paradise has been restored.

new person   Someone just beginning to attend the meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses, as in, “The Watchtower Study Conductor knows better than to call on a new person for the answer to such a difficult question.”

new personality   Collectively, the improved behavior, changed mannerisms, revised thought patterns, new vocabulary, and reformed attitudes that result from complete submission to the Watchtower indoctrination and training program.

new system   The post-Armageddon world in which only Jehovah’s Witnesses remain alive and paradise has been restored.

New Testament   obsolete  Jehovah’s Witnesses refer to the New Testament as the Christian Greek Scriptures or, simply, the Christian Scriptures.  Use of the term New Testament marks the speaker as a non-Witness.

new truth   A revised teaching that replaces previously held ideas, or a completely novel thought just introduced by the Watchtower Society.

New World   The post-Armageddon world in which only Jehovah’s Witnesses remain alive and paradise has been restored.

New World Bible Translation Committee   The anonymous group in charge of producing the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.

New World Society   obsolete  The JW organization and its worldwide membership—a term used frequently during the presidency of Nathan Knorr.

New World Translation   The shortened form JWs usually use instead of New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures   The Bible version produced and published by the Watchtower Society with hundreds of verses changed to conform to JW doctrine.

N.H.’s   abbreviation  Not-at-homes.

newspaper gospelling  Obsolete. The dissemination of Pastor Russell’s weekly sermons through syndication in as many as two thousand secular newspapers in 1913.

nineteen-fourteen generation  See the generation of 1914.

“no blood” card   A business-card-sized medical document Jehovah’s Witnesses carry in their wallet or purse declaring their refusal to accept a blood transfusion or blood products if found unconscious and bleeding.  Signed, dated, and witnessed with the signatures of two other JWs, the card is intended to serve as a legal document preventing the administration of blood in an emergency.

not-at-homes   slang  A list of addresses where no one answered the door during house-to-house work.  Not-at-homes must be visited repeatedly, and the list reduced in size, before the territory can be considered properly worked.

NWT   Abbreviation The JW New World Translation of the Bible.

O

obituaries, do the   Witnessing by letter to the families of the deceased listed on the obituary page of the local newspaper, when it is possible to obtain their address.  This sort of activity is popular among JW shut-ins, but is also resorted to by pioneers who are short on their hours as the clock approaches midnight on the last day of the month.  Example:  “The weather is terrible today, and I feel like I’m catching a cold, so I think I’ll stay in and do the obituaries.”

objections   Arguments raised by a householder interrupting a Witness’s door-to-door sermon or presentation.  The most common examples include,  “I’m busy,”  “I’m not interested,”  “I have my own religion,”  and “You people were just here a short time ago.”  Other objections heard less frequently include, “You’re communists!”  “I’m going to get my gun,” and “Get off my property, before I call the police!”

NOTE:  JWs are trained to respond to initial objections with well-rehearsed replies, but to abort their efforts and depart if objections continue or are threatening in nature.

offer, the   The book or other item specified in Our Kingdom Service as the one JWs should be presenting at the doors during a given month.

O.K.S.  obsolete abbreviation  The initials of Our Kingdom Service, the official title of Our Kingdom Ministry between 1976 and 1982.

old light   A former teaching abandoned in favor of a new doctrinal viewpoint.

old order, the   The evil and corrupt world of today dominated by Satan’s political, commercial, and religious organizations—soon to be replaced by a New Order of righteousness and peace when God destroys the non-Witness population at the Battle of Armageddon.

old system, this    The evil and corrupt world of today dominated by Satan’s political, commercial, and religious organizations—soon to be replaced by a new system of righteousness and peace when God destroys the non-Witness population at the Battle of Armageddon.

Old Testament   obsolete  Jehovah’s Witnesses refer to the Old Testament as the Hebrew Scriptures.  Use of the term Old Testament marks the speaker as a non-Witness.

old world, the    The evil and corrupt society of today dominated by Satan’s political, commercial, and religious organizations—soon to be replaced by a New World of righteousness and peace when God destroys the non-Witness population at the Battle of Armageddon.

one of Jehovah’s Witnesses   A JW.  JWs use this expression to affirm that they are actually witness-bearers of God rather than members of a denomination named Jehovah’s Witnesses, JWs are taught to use this expression in place of a Jehovah’s Witness.

open-minded  An expression applied in door-to-door work to describe favorably a householder willing to listen to Jehovah’s Witnesses and to re-examine his or her own religious beliefs; not applicable at all to a Witness investigating the possibility of leaving to join another religion.

opposer   noun  A knowledgeable non-Witness who speaks against the sect.

order   See New Order, old order.

organization, God’s   See God’s organization, God’s earthly organization, God’s heavenly organization, and God’s universal organization.

organization, Jehovah’s   See Jehovah’s organization, Jehovah’s earthly organization, Jehovah’s heavenly organization, and Jehovah’s universal organization.

organization, Satan’s   The entire world outside of Jehovah’s universal organization.  Specifically, all human governments, all non-Witness religious bodies, and all non-JW-owned commercial entities are seen as branches of Satan’s organization, and all individuals not part of Jehovah’s organization are seen as members of Satan’s organization.

organization, the   The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society and its various corporate entities and associated congregations.

other sheep   Theological Those who will eventually inhabit the earthly paradise, i.e., all true worshipers not of the little flock. (From John 10:16)

Our Kingdom Ministry   The current title of an internal monthly publication of 4 or 8 pages featuring instructions for field service and for other aspects of life as a JW.  (Note:  This publication’s name was changed from Kingdom Ministry to Our Kingdom Service in 1976 when the Society began teaching that rank-and-file JWs were not ministers.  Then it was renamed Our Kingdom Ministry  in 1982 when the Society flip-flopped back to the old teaching.)  See JWL.

Our Kingdom Service   obsolete  The name of Our Kingdom Ministry between the Watchtower Society’s 1976 and 1982 doctrinal flip-flops on the proper definition of minister. See JWL.

out in service   Engaged in field service, as in, “I go out in service every Saturday morning.”

outline talk      A public lecture given by a speaker who is supplied by the Watchtower Society a detailed outline, rather than a word-for-word manuscript.

overcome objections   To answer or put aside arguments raised by a householder that would otherwise put an end to a door-to-door presentation.

overcomer   A Witness who succeeds in remaining faithful despite obstacles.

overseer   noun An elder appointed to a position of responsibility.  Within the local congregation these are, in descending order of rank, the Presiding Overseer, the Secretary, the Service Overseer, the Watchtower Study Conductor, and the Theocratic Ministry School Overseer.

overseer, the   1. The Presiding Overseer or the Congregation Overseer responsible for a particular congregation.  2. The elder in charge in a given situation.

oversight   noun  The responsibilities or assignment of an overseer or ministerial servant, as in, “Brother Dugan has been given oversight over the book room.”

P

paradise, the spiritual   The condition in which Jehovah’s Witnesses find themselves today, enlightened and cared for by God’s earthly organization.

paradise, the   1. The post-Armageddon world with perfect conditions restored, inhabited only by JWs and resurrected persons.  2. The original Garden of Eden.

paradise earth, the   The post-Armageddon world with perfect conditions restored, inhabited only by JWs and resurrected persons.

paradise of God, the   The heavenly realm inherited by the 144,000 anointed ones.

parousia   theological  (Greek=”coming” Matt. 24:3 KJV)  1. Christ’s Second Coming in the year 1914, unseen by human eyes.   2.  obsolete  Christ’s Second Coming in the year 1874, unseen by human eyes, as proclaimed by Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.

part, a   A speaking or acting part on a JW meeting or assembly program—considered a privilege, and hence often handed out as a favor or reward by the overseer in charge.

partake   verb  To drink from the cup and eat some of the unleavened bread at the annual Memorial service—a privilege reserved for the remnant of the 144,000.

partaker, a   Someone who professes to be of the anointed remnant and who demonstrates this by drinking from the cup and eating some of the unleavened bread at the annual JW Memorial service—a privilege reserved for the 144,000.  The sect reported worldwide attendance of 12,288,917 in 1994, including 8617 partakers.  See AJWSBS.

pastor   obsolete  Although still employed with regard to Charles Taze Russell (“Pastor Russell”), the term pastor has no other current usage among Jehovah’s Witnesses and is intentionally avoided when referring to modern JW clergyman—who claim to be untitled and not clergymen.

Pastor Russell   Charles Taze Russell (born 1852, died 1916), founder and first president of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.  After associating with Adventists for ten years and serving as assistant editor of an Adventist paper, in 1879 he led a splinter group that broke from that denomination to publish his new magazine Zion’s Watch Tower.  To these “Russellites” he assigned the name International Bible Students Association.  Using interpretations from the Bible and the Great Pyramid of Egypt Russell predicted future events, including the rapture of the Church and the end of the world, for various dates in the early 1900’s.  He died shortly after all of these proved false.  Today his body lies buried next to the Society’s huge stone pyramid marker in a Pittsburgh, PA cemetery.  When successor J. F. Rutherford tried to lead the Bible Students off into a new direction they split up into several factions: various independent Bible Students groups, and Rutherford’s followers whom he renamed Jehovah’s Witnesses.

perfect, perfection   noun  The state of sinlessness and restored health to be achieved by obedient humans toward the end of Christ’s thousand-year reign.  Example:  “The tendency to overeat will be gone when we reach perfection” or “when we become perfect.”

persecution   noun  Any speech or act perceived as hostile toward Jehovah’s Witnesses or directed against an individual Witness on account of his religion.  See box.

personal decision   1.  A matter left to the individual conscience with no binding directive issued by the organization.  Compare conscience matter.  2.  Ostensibly a choice left up to each individual’s free will, but actually forced by organizational dictates.  Examples:  whether or not to accept a blood transfusion, whether or not to accept employment banned by the sect.

NOTE:  When this expression is used in Watchtower publications, it is usually necessary to examine the context in order to determine which definition is meant.  Even then, the wording may be so subtle that only experienced Witnesses, such as elders, can discern clearly the intended meaning.  Consider, for example, these instructions regarding compulsory military service found in the May 1, 1996 Watchtower on page 19: 

What, though, if the Christian lives in a land where exemption is not granted to ministers of religion? Then he will have to make a personal decision following his Bible-trained conscience. (Galatians 6:5) While taking the authority of Caesar into account, he will weigh carefully what he owes to Jehovah. (Psalm 36:9; 116:12-14; Acts 17:28) The Christian will remember that the mark of a true Christian is love for all his fellow believers, even those who live in other lands or those belonging to other tribes. (John 13:34, 35;1 Peter 2:17) Further, he will not forget the Scriptural principles found in texts such as Isaiah 2:2-4; Matthew 26:52; Romans 12:18;14:19; 2 Corinthians 10:4; and Hebrews 12:14.

When this appeared in print, even some experienced counter-cult workers told me they understood it to mean JWs could now choose for themselves whether or not to accept military service.  But I explained to them that language and verses cited proved that such was not the case at all.  The Watchtower Society meant this the same way it meant similar statements that it is up to each JW to decide whether to take a blood transfusion—that is, it is up to each one to decide whether or not to break the rules and get expelled from the organization and condemned by God.

personal study   Examination of  Watchtower books and magazines with a view toward finding in each paragraph the answers to questions printed at the bottom of each page, as well as reading articles that lack such study questions.

pew   noun A benchlike seat found in pseudochristian churches but not in Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Halls—or at least not called by that name when a JW meeting place does feature similar seats, temporarily, before other seating can be arranged.  Metal-and-plastic folding chairs or linked-together chairs are most common in American Kingdom Halls.

phonograph record   A recording of one of Judge Rutherford’s talks played at householder’s doors on a windup portable machine prior to the institution of Theocratic Ministry School speech training for rank-and-file Jehovah’s Witnesses.

pioneer   noun A witness assigned the privilege of full-time service either permanently or temporarily.  For the various categories of pioneer, see regular pioneer, special pioneer, temporary pioneer, vacation pioneer.

pioneer partner   A pioneer permanently working in service with another, often rooming together as well.

pioneer rate   obsolete  The deeply discounted price pioneers paid for magazines and books to be resold to the public at list price, with the greater profit margin aiding the pioneer financially to help him or her remain in full-time service.  For example, the price list issued by the Watchtower Society to literature servants in each congregation might have indicated that a certain book with a twenty-five cent list price should be sold to congregation publishers for twenty cents but to pioneers for five cents each.