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Ethnic Groups

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Religious and Ethnic Groups
The Jehovah’s Witnesses are native to the United States with roots dating back to the teaching of Charles Taze Russell, a minister in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the 1870s. The religious beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses are in some ways similar to those of orthodox Christians, but in other ways that are different. Witnesses believe in one God, the authority of the Bible and focus on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They reject the doctrine of the Trinity and the existence of Hell. They stress the fact that God has revealed his personal name to humanity, which is Jehovah. Jehovah has a spirit body and lives in heaven, but sees all things. Jehovah Witnesses disagree with the mainstream Christian belief that Jesus was “fully God, fully man.” Jehovah Witnesses consider themselves as true Christians, but most mainstreams. Christians do not agree that they are. The feeling is mutual; however the Witnesses deny that other Christian groups are Christians.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses have, in many ways, contributed to the American Culture. Being founded right here in the United States they have helped tremendously in religious freedom. When you think of Jehovah’s Witnesses you think of them walking door to door to spread their message. In 1940, the Supreme Court heard the Cantwell vs. State of Connecticut case, after Jesse Cantwell and his son were arrested for street preaching without a solicitation permit and for delivering a message that, according to two pedestrians, incited a breach of the peace. The court held that regulations on solicitation do not apply to religious messages. It also decided that the Cantwell’s’ message did not intend to hurt anyone, was not threatening the peace and was protected religious speech.
Several people view Jehovah’s Witnesses as non-Christian or a cult. That is discrimination based solely on hatred.

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