Jehovah’s Witnesses convention focuses on apocalypse

Jehovah’s Witnesses, traveling in twos, are familiar sights in many metro Atlanta neighborhoods, knocking on doors and handing out religious literature.

A major emphasis of their teaching? The apocalypse.

That will be their theme during three weekends in July, when the denomination will hold a series of annual conventions that will attract an estimated 30,000 to Gwinnett Arena. The conventions, which are free and open to the public, are held Friday evenings through Sundays.

“This year, the theme is how you can survive the end of the world,” said Mike Funston, of Gwinnett County, a spokesman for the denomination.

“The Kingdom of God is extremely close,” echoed Jehovah’s Witness James Humbert.

He believes the wars, famines and economic crises around the world portend the end of this age and the beginning of a new age here on earth.

“Jehovah has kind of given us a reminder that the system we know today is about to end, which would usher in a new system under God’s rule,” he said.

There will also be Bible classes, baptisms for new members, and emphasis on teaching to strengthen families starting the July 4th weekend and continuing during the next two weekends.

Jehovah’s Witnesses at a glance:

• Grew out of 19th century Protestantism.

• They use the name “Jehovah” rather than “God” because they believe it is biblical.

• One main difference with orthodox Christianity is over the Trinity, Christians’ key doctrine that says God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are one. Witnesses believe God created Jesus, and the Holy Spirit is a separate entity.

• They use their own translation of the Bible.

• They do not participate in government, vote or serve in the armed services because of Jesus’ warnings to not be part of the world of men’s institutions. They also do not observe Christmas, birthdays or other religious holidays, though they do celebrate Jesus’ death in the spring.

• They do not believe in hell.

• There about 50,000 in Georgia and 1 million in the U.S., and they claim about 7 million members total.

• They call their sanctuaries Kingdom Halls.

• Jehovah’s Witnesses are typically socially and morally conservative. For example, they do not accept homosexuality.

• They have no full-time clergy and do not take up offerings.

• Well known Jehovah’s Witnesses: Prince, who is a recent convert. Teresa Graves, a black actress who broke through color barriers in her 1970s TV series, “Get Christie Love.”