Are Jehovah's Witnesses a Religion?

[The Librarian]

Judge J.F. Rutherford created many ideas in his tenure as President of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society.one of those is this one:

 

RELIGION is a SNARE and a RACKET 1939 

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When, in WWI, the brothers sought exemptions on religious conscience grounds, they could not convince local draft boards they had any formal religion or coherent beliefs because Pastor Russell had been totally against ORGANIZATION.There was no formal statement of orthodoxy and all I.B.S.A. (International Bible Students Association) members were democratic in believing whatever they pleasedlater, in 1929, Romans 13.1 was cited for refusing civilian service.Jehovah’s Witnesses claimed they were not a religion; just a bible society and they further decried their label as pacifist because they were total advocates of War of the great day of God the Almighty.In 1937 in the book Enemies, J.F. Rutherford made his position clear:“ Strange as it may seem, the two words "Christian" and "religion" are diametrically opposed one to the other. ”The greatest racket ever invented and practiced is that of religion.Clearly this was a tactical mistake that could cost the Society three kinds of important exemptions.

1. Religious exemption in time of war for JW ministers whether full or part-time.
2. Tax exemption for Watch Tower corporations.
3. Real estate exemption for Watch Tower property holdings (including Kingdom Halls)

A reversal of position was vitally necessary.President Rutherford died in 1942. Now it would not directly embarrass brother Rutherford if tax exemptions were sought.To avoid loss of exemption it had become necessary to finesse the absolute statements of President Rutherford when applying for the above exemptions although none of it was made public until 1950 in a book written by the former Vice-President of the Society and Attorney, Hayden C. Covington. In his book, “Defending and legally establishing the Good News”:

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“The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, Inc., is incorporated under the laws of the State of New York for charitable, religious, and scientific purposes.The unincorporated bodies of persons known as Jehovah’s witnesses hold in common certain religious tenets and beliefs and recognize as their terrestrial governing organization the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, Inc.By their adherence to the organization of this religious corporation, the unincorporated body of Jehovah's Witnesses are considered to constitute a recognized religious sect.” --Vol.II Opinion No.14, National Headquarters, Selective Service System, November 2, 1942.

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“The fact is, they have been recognized by the Selective Service System as a religious organization and are entitled to the same treatment as the members of any other religious organization...” - United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, in Hull v Stalter, 151F. 2d 633 (1945), said:

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It should also be noted: for the record that as early as 1934, the Society's corporations sought Tax Exemption as charitable and benevolent societies.

• "By orders of the commissioner of Internal Revenue, United States Treasurey Department, under dates of November 9, 1934, March 22, 1935, April 24, 1935, April 23, 1938, September 1, 1942, and June 17, 1946, Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, Inc. (a New Yourk corporation) and Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society (a Pennsylvania corporation), were held to be entitled to exemption from the making of income tax returns under the Federal Internal Revenue Act because such societies were charitable corporations engaged in religious activity. ...have been declared exempt also from the payment of taxes on real estate owned and used by the for carrying out the chartered purposes of the societies because such societies are benevolent and engaged in religious activity."

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[The Librarian]

"Racket- (crime), a systematized element of organized crime. 

This recording was a Free Public Lecture given in 1939 By Judge J. F. Rutherford. 

The Judge plainly states where religion came from and what to do about it.

Its message is still relevant down to this day. I can show you in your Copy of the Holy Scriptures which ones he used and why he gave this message. It is important to note that he said Christianity, NOT Christendom." - Kurtan (editor who posted this page)

(Acts 5:38, 39 And so, under the present circumstances, I say to YOU, Do not meddle with these men, but let them alone; (because, if this scheme or this work is from men, it will be overthrown; but if it is from God, YOU will not be able to overthrow them;) otherwise, YOU may perhaps be found fighters actually against God.")

(2 Corinthians 13:5 Keep testing whether YOU are in the faith, keep proving what YOU yourselves are. Or do YOU not recognize that Jesus Christ is in union with YOU? Unless YOU are disapproved.)

KINGDOM NEWS New York City - July 1939