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103-549: Künzelsau ( German pronunciation: [ˈkʏntsl̩sˌʔaʊ] ; East Franconian : Kinzelse ) is a town in Baden-Württemberg , in south central Germany . It is the capital of the Hohenlohe district . It is located on the river Kocher , 19 km (12 mi) north of Schwäbisch Hall , and 37 km (23 mi) northeast of Heilbronn . The city of Künzelsau is located, at elevation 210–435 m (689–1,427 ft), along

206-571: A Ganerbengemeinschaft , which consisted of a varying number of members. In 1806 Künzelsau along with the Principality of Hohenlohe was joined to the Kingdom of Württemberg. In 1811 Künzelsau became the seat of the higher administrative division of the same name (since 1938: Künzelsau District). In 1892, the railway station was inaugurated in Künzelsau. Künzelsau was, in the late 18th and early 19th century,

309-455: A chaperone when they are together as a way of preventing sexual desire. All sexual relations outside marriage are grounds for expulsion if the person is not deemed repentant; homosexual activity is considered a serious sin, and same-sex marriage is forbidden. Jehovah's Witnesses may get married at a Kingdom Hall in a simple ceremony and practices considered pagan such as wishing good luck or throwing rice are prohibited. An elder will give

412-580: A church , sect , new religious movement , or cult . Usage of the various terms has been debated among sociologists. When the term sect is used by sociologists, it is within the framework of church-sect typology for their activities within a specific country. Academics generally stopped using the term cult in the 1980s due to its pejorative association and its usage by the Christian countercult movement , with new religious movement largely replacing it. George Chryssides and Zoe Knox avoid using

515-455: A redeemer and a ransom sacrifice to pay for the sins of humanity. They believe that he died on a single upright post rather than a cross , which they regard as a pagan symbol. Accordingly, they refrain from using the word "crucifixion" when referring to Jesus' death. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus was resurrected with a "spirit body", and that he assumed human form only temporarily after his resurrection. Biblical references to

618-400: A Jehovah's Witness is vital for salvation, and do not recognize baptism from other denominations as valid. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that some people who died before Armageddon will be resurrected, will be taught the proper way to worship God, and face a final test at the end of the millennial reign . This judgment will be based on their actions after resurrection rather than past deeds. At

721-583: A congregation in whose "territory" they usually reside and attend weekly services they call "meetings", scheduled by congregation elders. The meetings are largely devoted to study of Watch Tower Society literature and the Bible. The meetings' format is established by the group's headquarters, and the subject matter for most meetings is the same worldwide. Congregations meet for two sessions each week, comprising five distinct meetings that total about three-and-a-half hours, typically gathering midweek (three meetings) and on

824-562: A hundred questions about their own lifestyles as well as the denomination's beliefs. People undergoing baptism must also affirm publicly that dedication and baptism identify them "as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in association with God's spirit-directed organization," though Witness publications say baptism symbolizes personal dedication to God and not "to a man, work or organization." Meetings for worship and study are held at Kingdom Halls , which are typically functional in character, and do not contain religious symbols. Witnesses are assigned to

927-470: A modern Jehovah's Witness, although some congregations have these publications in their libraries. Jehovah's Witnesses have "considerable worldwide uniformity", as all congregations study the same materials on a schedule. Jehovah's Witnesses emphasize the use of God's name, and they prefer the form Jehovah —a vocalization of God 's name based on the Tetragrammaton . They believe that Jehovah

1030-606: A paradise like the Garden of Eden . They thus depart from the mainstream Christian belief that the " second coming " of Matthew 24 refers to a single moment of arrival on earth to judge humans. Jehovah's Witnesses do not currently suggest any specific date for the end of the world, but Watch Tower Society literature has previously made such statements about 1914, 1925 and 1975. These failed predictions were presented as "beyond doubt" and "approved by God". Some Watch Tower Society publications state that God has used Jehovah's Witnesses and

1133-446: A ransom, or atonement , for humankind's sins. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that a "little flock" of 144,000 selected humans go to heaven, but that God will resurrect the majority (the "other sheep") to a cleansed earth after Armageddon. They interpret Revelation 14:1–5 to mean that the number of Christians going to heaven is limited to exactly 144,000, who will rule with Jesus as kings and priests over earth. They believe that baptism as

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1236-450: A recreational activity. Traveling overseers appoint local elders and ministerial servants, while branch offices may appoint regional committees for matters such as Kingdom Hall construction or disaster relief. Each congregation has a body of appointed unpaid male elders and ministerial servants. Elders maintain general responsibility for congregational governance, setting meeting times, selecting speakers and conducting meetings, directing

1339-587: A religious community and administrative unit. Their living expenses and those of other full-time volunteers are covered along with a basic monthly stipend . These volunteers are called Bethelites and are assigned specific tasks such as printing literature or doing laundry. They are allowed to marry but must leave Bethel if they have children. Bethelites are expected to read the Bible cover-to-cover during their first year of service. Consultants are sometimes hired for specialized tasks such as legal advice. Regular Jehovah's Witness members are encouraged to visit Bethel as

1442-942: A shunned individual. Shunned individuals may eventually be reinstated if deemed repentant. Former members may experience significant mental distress as a result of being shunned, and some seek reinstatement to keep contact with their friends and family. The group's position on conscientious objection to military service and refusal to salute state symbols (like national anthems and flags ) has brought it into conflict with some governments . Some Jehovah's Witnesses have been persecuted, and their activities banned or restricted in some countries. Persistent legal challenges by Jehovah's Witnesses have influenced legislation related to civil rights in several countries. The organization has been criticized regarding biblical translation, doctrines, and alleged coercion of its members. The Watch Tower Society has made various unfulfilled predictions about major biblical events, such as Jesus' Second Coming ,

1545-668: A significant amount of literature as part of its evangelism activities. In 2010, The Watchtower and Awake! were the world's most widely distributed magazines. The denomination archives most of its literature online, although certain entries have been changed after publication. Jehovah's Witnesses are taught that they are under a biblical command to engage in public preaching. They are instructed to devote as much time as possible to their ministry and required to submit an individual monthly "Field Service Report". Those who do not submit reports for six consecutive months are termed "inactive". From 1920 to 2023, every active Jehovah's Witness

1648-577: A silver plate, with the bearded golden head of John the Baptist . The city flag is blue and white. The severed head of John the Baptist, Patron of the Church of Künzelsau, was first used on seals of Künzelsau starting in 1525. The colors of the flag were probably set in the 18th or 19th century. Künzelsau has, since 1992, developed partnerships with the city Marcali in Hungary . The main traffic artery of Künzelsau

1751-413: A talk to the congregation. Once married, a husband is considered to have spiritual headship over his wife, unless he is not one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Contraception is allowed. Divorce is forbidden if not sought on the grounds of adultery , which is called a "scriptural divorce". If a divorce is obtained for any other reason, remarriage is considered adulterous unless the former spouse has died or

1854-501: A three-day "regional convention", usually at rented stadiums or auditoriums. Their most important and solemn event is the "Lord's Evening Meal", or " Memorial of Christ's Death ", which is observed on the fourteenth day of the Jewish month Nisan during Passover . Jehovah's Witnesses are known for their efforts to spread their beliefs , most notably by visiting people's homes, distributing Watch Tower Society literature. The objective

1957-624: A title to signify a formal clergy-laity division, though elders may employ ecclesiastical privilege regarding confession of sins. Much of the denomination's funding is donated, primarily by members. There is no tithing or collection. In 2001 Newsday listed the Watch Tower Society as one of New York 's 40 richest corporations, with revenues exceeding $ 950 million. In 2016, it ranked eighteenth for donations received by registered charities in Canada at $ 80 million. From 1969 until 2015,

2060-558: A year later all members were instructed to report their weekly preaching activity to the Brooklyn headquarters. Significant changes in doctrine and administration were regularly introduced during Rutherford's 25 years as president, including the 1920 announcement that the Hebrew patriarchs (such as Abraham and Isaac ) would be resurrected in 1925, marking the beginning of Christ 's thousand-year earthly kingdom . Because of disappointment over

2163-416: Is a nontrinitarian , millenarian , restorationist Christian denomination . In 2023, the group reported approximately 8.6 million members involved in evangelism , with around 20.5 million attending the annual Memorial of Christ's death . Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the destruction of the present world system at Armageddon is imminent, and the establishment of God's kingdom over earth

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2266-550: Is based in Künzelsau, and Volksbank Hohenlohe here operates a main office. In addition, other national banks maintain branches in Künzelsau. In Künzelsau, wine production is operated on a small scale. The local region belongs to the main region Kocherberg in the Jagst-Kocher-Tauber area. A few have Belsenberg with the plan of Heilig Kreuz. Künzelsau has a district court, which belongs to the District Court of Heilbronn and

2369-522: Is considered the inspired , inerrant word of God. Regular personal Bible reading is frequently recommended. Members are discouraged from formulating doctrines and "private ideas" reached through Bible research independent of Watch Tower Society publications and are cautioned against reading other religious literature. The organization makes no provision for members to criticize or contribute to its teachings. Witness publications strongly discourage followers from questioning doctrine and counsel received from

2472-469: Is considered to have committed sexual immorality . Spouses may separate in cases of domestic violence . Baptism is a requirement for membership as a Jehovah's Witness. Baptisms performed by other denominations are not considered valid. Jehovah's Witnesses do not practice infant baptism but allow children to be baptized as long as they meet the same requirements as other candidates. To qualify for baptism, an individual must correctly answer more than

2575-503: Is federal highway B 19, which comes from the northern town of Bad Mergentheim through the Künzelsau district of Nagelberg to the Kocher, crosses Künzelsau, climbs out of the valley leaves again and then runs via Künzelsau-south towards Schwäbisch Hall and Gaildorf. In the southern neighboring community of Kupferzell, the B 19 connects to the Autobahn A 6 to Heilbronn to the west and to Nuremberg to

2678-553: Is the home of the writer Hermann Lenz . The building dates from the 18th century. At the old train station is the youth cultural-society Kokolores. Other rooms in the same building are used by the Youth Council Künzelsau and a branch of the music school. Near the fire station of Künzelsau is the Jugendzentrum (youth center). In the town section Taläcker, there is a youth block house. East Franconian German In

2781-601: Is the only solution to all of humanity's problems. The group emerged in the United States from the Bible Student movement founded in the late 1870s by Charles Taze Russell , who also co-founded Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society in 1881 to organize and print the movement's publications. A leadership dispute after Russell's death resulted in several groups breaking away, with Joseph Franklin Rutherford retaining control of

2884-499: Is the only true god, the creator of all things, and the "Universal Sovereign". They believe that all worship should be directed toward him, and that he is not part of a Trinity ; consequently, the group places more emphasis on God than on Christ. They believe that the Holy Spirit is God's applied power or "active force", rather than a person. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus is God's only direct creation, that everything else

2987-454: Is to start a regular "Bible study" with anyone who is not already a member, with the intention that the student be baptized as a member of the group; members are advised to consider discontinuing Bible study with students who show no interest in becoming members. Converts as a result of their door-to-door evangelism are rare and happen at a rate comparable with other denominations that practice similar preaching methods. The denomination produces

3090-410: Is viewed as the means by which God will accomplish his original purpose for the earth, transforming it into a paradise without sickness or death. A central teaching of Jehovah's Witnesses is that the world faces imminent destruction through intervention by God and Jesus Christ. This belief has been present since the group's founding. They believe that Jesus' inauguration as king in 1914 is a sign that

3193-509: The Archangel Michael , Abaddon (Apollyon), and the Word are interpreted as names for Jesus in various roles. Jesus is considered the only intercessor and high priest between God and humanity, appointed by God as the king and judge of his kingdom. His role as a mediator (referred to in 1 Timothy 2:5) is applied to the "anointed" class, though the "other sheep" are said to also benefit from

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3296-565: The Great War . As a result, Watch Tower Society directors were jailed for sedition under the Espionage Act in 1918 and members were subjected to mob violence; the directors were released in March 1919 and charges against them were dropped in 1920. Rutherford centralized organizational control of the Watch Tower Society. In 1919, he instituted the appointment of a director in each congregation, and

3399-563: The Kocher River, a right tributary of the Neckar River, some 40 km east (25 mi) of Heilbronn. The city is, after Öhringen , the second largest city of the Hohenlohe district, whose seat it is. The Hohenlohe district was created on 1 January 1973 by merging the former districts of Künzelsau (KÜN) and Öhringen (ÖHR). The city of Künzelsau thus retained being the district seat, so that

3502-473: The Schloss-gymnasium , a postgraduate school with boarding. There is also a public high school and a youth music school. The Würth Group, in the school year 2006/2007, opened a private school named Freie Schule Anne-Sophie (named after a childhood deceased daughter of Bettina Würth ). The full-day operation will be taught students in grades one through eight. An extension to the class ten is provided. In

3605-512: The Third Reich in Künzelsau. The Kommunalwahl for 2009 had the following seats, as percentages in the town council: Through the abolition of loggerheads in local elections, the council was reduced from 34 to 26 seats. The mayor is directly elected for eight years. In the 2011 election, Stefan Neumann won. He replaced Volker Lenz on 1 September 2011, who had served since 1986. The blazon of Kuenzel Auer coat of arms is: on an azure background,

3708-451: The farmstead Schnaihof), Garnberg (404 m), Kocherstetten (254 m) (with hamlet Schloß Stetten and farmsteads Bienenhof and Buchenmühle), Laßbach (with villages Mäusdorf and Vogelsberg and 3 farmsteads Falkenhof, Kügelhof and Rappoldsweiler Hof) (435 m), Morsbach (223 m), Nagelsberg (312 m), Nitzenhausen (431 m) (with hamlets Berndshausen and Sonnhofen), Ohrenbach (430 m), Steinbach (412 m) (with 3 hamlets Büttelbronn, Ohrenbach and Wolfsölden) -

3811-714: The great tribulation is about to take place. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that all other present-day religions are false, identifying them with Babylon the Great , the "harlot" of Revelation 17 . They also believe that the United Nations is the scarlet-colored wild beast . Satan will subsequently use world governments to attack Jehovah's Witnesses, which will prompt God to begin the war of Armageddon , during which all forms of government and all people not counted as Jesus' sheep will die. After Armageddon, God will extend his heavenly kingdom to include earth, which will be transformed into

3914-615: The "harvest of the Gospel age", and that 1914 would mark the end of a 2,520-year period called "the Gentile Times", at which time world society would be replaced by the full establishment of God's kingdom on earth. Beginning in 1878, Russell and Barbour jointly edited a religious magazine, Herald of the Morning . In June 1879, the two split over doctrinal differences, and in July, Russell began publishing

4017-424: The Brooklyn headquarters. From 1932, it was taught that the "little flock" of 144,000 would not be the only people to survive Armageddon. Rutherford explained that in addition to the 144,000 anointed who would be resurrected—or transferred at death—to live in heaven to rule over earth with Jesus, a separate class of members, the "great multitude", would live in a paradise restored on earth; from 1935, new converts to

4120-614: The Brothers Grimm School (special school) and Ganerben-Gymnasium. The Hohenlohe district has been awarded the Geschwister-Scholl-Schule (school for mentally disabled), the Erich-Kästner-Schule (school for speech impaired) and the three professional schools: Gewerbliche Schule , Kaufmännische Schule and Hauswirtschaftliche Schule (Karoline-Breitinger-Schule). The state of Baden-Württemberg became recipient of

4223-510: The Burg Zarge to Künzelsau, Alosweiler, Bole oder Bohel, Hitels (in Vogelsberg), Schätzlinshof and Schlothof to Laßbach, the named Heidenschlößchen to Morsbach, as well as Holderbach, Dörrenhof, Klingen and Wilhelmshaus to Steinbach [2]. The district area is 75.17 km, including all parts of the city square. It was first documented in the year 1098 as Künzelsau. Until 1802, the city was under

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4326-477: The Governing Body, reasoning that it is to be trusted as part of "God's organization". The denomination does not tolerate dissent over doctrines and practices; members who openly disagree with the group's teachings are expelled and shunned. Jehovah's Witnesses have a complementarian view of women. Only men may hold positions of authority, such as ministerial servant or elder. Women may actively participate in

4429-512: The Governing Body, which assumes responsibility for interpreting and applying scripture. The Governing Body does not issue a single, comprehensive statement of faith, but expresses its doctrinal positions in a variety of ways through publications published by the Watch Tower Society. The publications teach that doctrinal changes and refinements result from a process of progressive revelation , in which God gradually reveals his will and purpose, and that such enlightenment or "new light" results from

4532-682: The Higher Regional Court of Stuttgart . The city is home to the church district Künzelsau, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Württemberg, and the Hohenlohe deanery of Rottenburg-Stuttgart. The fire department of Künzelsau acts as base for firefighters in their surrounding communities Ingelfingen, Kupferzell, Mulfingen, Niedernhall and Weißbach, as well as the Hohenlohe industrial park in Waldenburg . It provides for large fires on

4635-829: The Holy Scriptures . Adherents commonly call their body of beliefs "The Truth" and consider themselves to be "in the Truth". They consider human society morally corrupt and under the influence of Satan , and most limit their social interaction with non-Witnesses. The denomination is directed by a group of elders known as the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses , which establishes all doctrines . Congregational disciplinary actions include formal expulsion and shunning , for what they consider serious offenses. Baptized people who formally leave are considered disassociated and are also shunned. Members are not allowed to socialize with

4738-506: The International Bible Students as a modern-day prophet. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that dating should only occur if the couple is seriously considering marriage. Dating outside the denomination is strongly discouraged and can lead to religious sanctions . Some Jehovah's Witnesses remain single by choice , while others wish to be in a relationship but have a lack of options. Dating Jehovah's Witnesses are encouraged to have

4841-462: The Künzelsau synagogue was opened, which was destroyed during the November Pogrom of 1938.[3] The town's Jewish community became extinct during the persecution of Jews at the time of National Socialism ( Nazism ). Some community members were able to emigrate, but the majority came in the course of the deportation of German Jews to death camps. Only the merchant Sigbert Baer outlasted the time of

4944-454: The Trinity, and the burning up of the world. In 1876, he met Nelson H. Barbour . Later that year they jointly produced the book Three Worlds , which combined restitutionist views with end time prophecy. The book taught that God's dealings with humanity were divided dispensationally , each ending with a "harvest", that Jesus had returned as an invisible spirit being in 1874, inaugurating

5047-590: The United States, Canada , Germany , and other countries. Nathan Knorr was appointed as third president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society in 1942. He commissioned a new translation of the Bible, the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures , the full version of which was released in 1961. He organized large international assemblies, instituted new training programs for members, and expanded missionary activity and branch offices throughout

5150-506: The Watch Tower Society and its properties. Rutherford made significant organizational and doctrinal changes, including adoption of the name Jehovah's witnesses in 1931 to distinguish the group from other Bible Student groups and symbolize a break with the legacy of Russell's traditions . Jehovah's Witnesses are known for their door-to-door preaching, distributing literature such as The Watchtower and Awake! , and for refusing military service and blood transfusions . They consider

5253-582: The Watch Tower Society's headquarters to Brooklyn , New York, in 1909, combining printing and corporate offices with a house of worship; volunteers were housed in a nearby residence he named Bethel . He identified the religious movement as "Bible Students", and more formally as the International Bible Students Association . By 1910, about 50,000 people worldwide were associated with the movement and congregations reelected him annually as their pastor. Russell died on October 31, 1916, at

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5356-655: The advent of God's kingdom, and Armageddon. Their policies for handling cases of child sexual abuse have been the subject of various formal inquiries. Scholarly analysis of Jehovah's Witnesses is limited in Western academia, with most works focusing on legal challenges faced by the group. The denomination does not cooperate with scholars beyond limited communication from anonymous individuals. Consequently, academics often rely on literature written by former members such as James Penton and Raymond Franz to understand its inner workings. The denomination has been variously described as

5459-467: The age of 64 while returning from a ministerial speaking tour. In January 1917, the Watch Tower Society's legal representative, Joseph Franklin Rutherford , was elected as its next president. His election was disputed , and members of the Board of Directors accused him of acting in an autocratic and secretive manner. The divisions between his supporters and opponents triggered a major turnover of members over

5562-455: The application of reason and study. Sociologist Andrew Holden's ethnographic study of the group concluded that pronouncements of the Governing Body, through Watch Tower Society publications, carry almost as much weight as the Bible. Jehovah's Witnesses consider the Bible scientifically and historically accurate and reliable and interpret much of it literally , but accept parts of it as symbolic . The entire Protestant canon of scripture

5665-426: The arrangement. Jehovah's Witnesses believe death is a state of nonexistence with no consciousness . There is no Hell of fiery torment; Hades and Sheol are understood to refer to the condition of death, termed the common grave . They consider the soul a life or a living body that can die. They believe that humanity is in a sinful state, from which release is possible only by means of Jesus' shed blood as

5768-443: The attention of the elders who will then evaluate possible consequences. Members that have violated the group's standards—for example, dating a non-member—but not otherwise committed a serious sin may be marked . Congregation members who are aware of another member's errant behaviour are advised to limit social contact with the marked individual. Elders may decide to form a committee in cases involving serious sin, which may result in

5871-471: The book, Shepherd the Flock of God , provided only to elders. The practice of shunning may serve to deter other members from dissident behavior. Shunning also helps maintain a "uniformity of belief". Former members may experience significant mental distress as a result of being shunned and some seek reinstatement to keep contact with their friends and family. Expelled individuals may eventually be reinstated to

5974-547: The centre point of emigration to the UK of pork butchers. The pioneers noticed a niche for speciality pork products in the rapidly growing English cities, especially those in the industrial north. Most married local women, but sent word home that a good living could be made in England, and others followed. In 1948, L. Hermann clothes factory (now the Mustang apparel Werke GmbH + Co. KG), produced

6077-462: The changes and unfulfilled predictions , tens of thousands of defections occurred during the first half of Rutherford's tenure, leading to the formation of several Bible Student organizations independent of the Watch Tower Society, most of which still exist. By mid-1919, as many as one in seven of Russell-era Bible Students had ceased their association with the Society, and as many as three-quarters by

6180-468: The congregation if deemed repentant by congregation elders. Reinstatement is a long process, which may be experienced as mentally and emotionally draining. Shunned individuals may experience suicide ideation and often struggle with feelings of low self esteem , shame, and guilt. Former members may also experience ambiguous loss or panic attacks . Funerals for expelled members may not be performed at Kingdom Halls. Baptized children are also subject to

6283-566: The data in each case in meters above sea level. Belonging to Künzelsau before the municipal reform of the 1970s were: the city Künzelsau, the villages of Garnberg and Nagelberg, and residential places Gaisbacher Rank and Hofratsmühle. In the urban area of Künzelsau are several assigned areas (to former municipalities assigned): Neugreut to Amrichshausen, chapel of the Holy Cross to Belsenberg, Hefenhofen, Herborten, Steinbach, Gackstatt and Schupperg to Gaisbach, Baldehofen, Kronhofen, Webern, Wartturm of

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6386-541: The denomination in order to be subject to their disciplinary procedures. The denomination does not tolerate dissent over doctrines and practices; members who openly disagree with the group's teachings are expelled, shunned, and condemned as apostates who are "mentally diseased". Some adherents "fade" and stop attending meetings without being subject to the group's disciplinary procedures, although some former members have still experienced shunning through this method. Members accused of persistent wrongdoing are brought to

6489-616: The denomination's headquarters were housed in Brooklyn , with plans to completely move its operations to Warwick in 2017. The property was sold to Kushner Companies for $ 340 million in 2016. The denomination is led by the Governing Body—an all-male group that varies in size. The Governing Body directs several committees that are responsible for administrative functions, including publishing, assembly programs and evangelizing activities. Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses are established by

6592-609: The district and the Gaisbach Hirschwirtscheuer in the city are devoted to contemporary art. The Hohenlohe Art Association also operates an art gallery since November 2008 at the Kocher bridge. In 2007 was the 75th anniversary of a museum for the future of the Mustang apparel Werke GmbH & Co. KG was established in Founders House. The Old Town Hall from the 16th century was built on the Künsbach. Located at Keltergasse 63

6695-618: The east. Künzelsau is connected by state and district roads with the places in the Kocher valley and the surrounding plateaus. Künzelsau is no longer connected to the railway network. The city had acquired a connection to the rail system in 1892. When the Royal Württemberg State Railways opened the Kocher Valley Railway from Waldenburg to Künzelsau, it also built a station in Haag with a type I entrance building . The line

6798-527: The end of the 1920s. On July 26, 1931, at a convention in Columbus, Ohio , Rutherford introduced the new name Jehovah's witnesses , based on Isaiah 43:10: "'Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me'" (King James Version). It was adopted by resolution. The name

6901-410: The end of the thousand years, Jesus will hand all authority back to God. Then a final test will take place when Satan is released to mislead humankind. Those who fail will die, along with Satan and his demons. They also believe that those who rejected their beliefs while still alive will not be resurrected and will continue to experience a state of non-existence. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Satan

7004-418: The entry of Jews in the 14th century, and evidence of a historic Jewish cemetery in Künzelsau created a modern Jewish community in Künzelsau until the late 19th century, especially by the influx of Jews from Nagelberg. The Jewish community was first called "Nagelberg-Künzelsau", then "Künzelsau-Nagelberg" and finally from 1900 as "Künzelsau", thus the name of the walk Nagelberg to Künzelsau is documented. In 1907,

7107-479: The first jeans in Germany. In 1973, with the district reform, the former county seat of the district Künzelsau, became county seat of the new Hohenlohe district, which includes the old-district Öhringen and a small part of the old-district Buchen. The Protestant Reformation was introduced to Künzelsau in 1556. The city is therefore predominantly Protestant. Since the move here from Ingelfingen in 1824/25, it has been

7210-465: The format he recommended for conducting meetings. In 1881, Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society was presided over by William Henry Conley , and in 1884, Russell incorporated the society as a nonprofit business to distribute tracts and Bibles. He also published a six book series entitled Studies in the Scriptures . By about 1900, Russell had organized thousands of part- and full-time colporteurs , and

7313-400: The gender they were assigned at birth and view gender-affirming surgery as mutilation. Modesty in dress and grooming is frequently emphasized for both men and women. Jehovah's Witnesses believe their denomination is a restoration of first-century Christianity . Older books published by the Watch Tower Society such as those by Charles Russell and Joseph Rutherford are usually unfamiliar to

7416-503: The idea that Armageddon must occur during the lives of the generation that was alive in 1914. Jehovah's Witnesses are organized hierarchically , in what the leadership calls a theocratic organization, reflecting their belief that it is God's visible organization on earth. Jehovah's Witnesses establish local branch offices to centralize their activities in any given country. These branch offices are also referred to as Bethel. Supporting staff live on these properties where they operate as

7519-435: The individual is deemed to be an apostate. Parents are also no longer prohibited from attending judicial committees with minors. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the Bible condemns mixing religions, on the basis that there can only be one truth from God, and therefore reject interfaith and ecumenical movements. They believe that only Jehovah's Witnesses represent true Christianity and that other denominations fail to meet all

7622-454: The license plate number still uses KÜN. Künzelsau is one of seven centers in the region Heilbronn-Franken within the administrative district of Stuttgart . The city of Künzelsau is located in the valley (elevation 218 m) and is surrounded by the higher-lying towns: Amrichshausen (401 m), Belsenberg (256 m) (with the parts Rodachshof and Siegelhof), Gaisbach (381 m) (with the hamlets Etzlinsweiler, Haag, Kemmeten, Oberhof, Unterhof and Weckhof and

7725-429: The magazine Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence , saying its purpose was to demonstrate that the world was in "the last days" and that a new age of earthly and human restitution under Jesus' reign was imminent. From 1879, Watch Tower supporters gathered as autonomous congregations to study the Bible topically. Thirty congregations were founded, and during 1879 and 1880, Russell visited each to provide

7828-478: The member being reproved or shunned. This process requires three elders to meet with the accused. These cases usually involve sexual misconduct or apostasy. Other serious sins involve accepting blood transfusions, smoking, using recreational drugs, divorce, celebration of holidays or birthdays, abortion (which is considered murder), and political activities such as voting in elections. Procedures related to congregational discipline are primarily described in

7931-423: The movement were considered part of that class. By the mid-1930s, the timing of the beginning of Jesus' presence (Greek: parousía ), his enthronement as king, and the start of the last days were each moved to 1914. As their interpretations of the Bible evolved, Witness publications decreed that saluting national flags is a form of idolatry, which led to a new outbreak of mob violence and government opposition in

8034-439: The next decade. In June 1917, he released The Finished Mystery as a seventh volume of Russell's Studies in the Scriptures series. The book, published as Russell's posthumous work, was a compilation of his commentaries on the Bible books of Ezekiel and Revelation with numerous additions by Bible Students Clayton Woodworth and George Fisher. It strongly criticized Catholic and Protestant clergy and Christian involvement in

8137-505: The number of active members exceeded two million. Membership declined during the late 1970s after expectations for 1975 were unfulfilled. Watch Tower Society literature did not say that 1975 would definitely mark the end, but in 1980 the Watch Tower Society admitted its responsibility in building up hope for that year. The offices of elder and ministerial servant were restored to Witness congregations in 1972, with appointments made from headquarters (and later by branch committees too). It

8240-629: The pastoral care unit of Künzelsau. Besides the two large churches in Künzelsau, there exist a New Apostolic Church (with churches in Künzelsau Gaisbach), a congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses (Kingdom Hall in Gaisbach), a Greek Orthodox church, the Pentecostal -charismatic missionary community committed Christian from the Federation of Pentecostal Churches, and other Christian denominations. After

8343-530: The plan and has major technical assistance. In addition, it provides special services for the entire Hohenlohe district. Outside the city-limits of Künzelsau, since 1988 a branch of the University of Heilbronn is located in the district of Hofratsmühle, comprising the departments of electrical engineering , industrial engineering , business studies and media, product, customer management, business administration, sports, cultural and leisure-time management, and since

8446-453: The public preaching work, and creating judicial committees to investigate and decide disciplinary action for cases involving sexual misconduct or doctrinal breaches. New elders are appointed by a traveling overseer after recommendation by the existing body of elders. Ministerial servants—appointed in a similar manner as elders—fulfill clerical and attendant duties, but may also teach and conduct meetings. Jehovah's Witnesses do not use elder as

8549-422: The public preaching work, serve at Bethel , and profess to be members of the 144,000 . They are not typically allowed to address the congregation directly. In rare circumstances, women can substitute in certain capacities if there are no eligible men. In these situations, women must wear a head covering if they are performing a teaching role. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that transgender people should live as

8652-446: The requirements set by God and refer to them as "false religion". Jehovah's Witnesses are taught that it is vital to remain "separate from the world." Their literature defines the "world" as "the mass of mankind apart from Jehovah's approved servants" and teach that it is morally contaminated and ruled by Satan. Jehovah's Witnesses are taught that association with "worldly" people presents a danger to their faith. Attending university

8755-580: The same moral standards and consequences for failing to comply. They are allowed to stay with their families until reaching the age of majority . Jehovah's Witnesses lost additional funding as a religious community in Norway because of its shunning policy, with the country concluding that it was psychological violence directed towards children. Subsequently, the group made some changes to its shunning policy in 2024; individuals may offer "simple greetings" to shunned members instead of completely avoiding them, unless

8858-631: The seat of the deanery of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Württemberg (see Church District Künzelsau). Evangelical congregations can be found in Belsenberg, Kocherstetten, Künzelsau and Morsbach, which include most Protestants from the other districts. Only the Protestants of the districts Berndshausen, Nitzenhausen and Wolf Sölden belong to the church community Buchenbach (community Mulfingen). The formerly independent Catholic parishes of Künzelsau, Nagelsberg, Kupferzell and Amrichshausen have been combined to

8961-495: The section Taläcker, during the 2008/2009 school year, a private school operated. The Kocher is the only river open for swimming in Baden-Wuerttemberg. The sports facilities in "Prübling" offer the sports stadium, a barn, tennis courts and gym. Soccer fields are located in different areas. On the southwestern ridge of Künzelsau, near the residential area got its fair, there are fitness and nature trails. The Würth Museum in

9064-539: The south, Rhine Franconian in the west and Upper Saxon in the north. East Franconian is researched by the "Fränkisches Wörterbuch" project in Fürth, which is run by Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften and Erlangen-Nuremberg University. East Franconian is subdivided in multiple different ways. One view differentiates three major sub-dialects: Another view differentiates two major sub-dialects: A third view has: Jehovah%27s Witnesses Jehovah's Witnesses

9167-485: The term new religious movement because it also has negative connotations. Chryssides refers to the denomination as an "old new religion". In 1870, Charles Taze Russell and others formed a group in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania , to study the Bible. During his ministry, Russell disputed many of mainstream Christianity's tenets, including immortality of the soul, hellfire, predestination, the physical return of Jesus Christ,

9270-580: The transitional area between Rhine Franconian in the northwest and the Austro-Bavarian dialects in the southeast, East Franconian has elements of Central German and Upper German . The same goes only for South Franconian German in adjacent Baden-Württemberg . East Franconian is one of the German dialects with the highest number of speakers. The scope of East Franconian is disputed, because it overlaps with neighbouring dialects like Bavarian and Swabian in

9373-413: The use of God's name vital for proper worship. They reject Trinitarianism , inherent immortality of the soul , and hellfire , which they consider unscriptural doctrines. They do not observe Christmas , Easter , birthdays , or other holidays and customs they consider to have pagan origins incompatible with Christianity. They prefer to use their own Bible translation, the New World Translation of

9476-447: The weekend (two meetings). Until 2009, congregations met three times each week; these meetings were condensed, with the intention that members dedicate an evening for family worship. Gatherings are opened and closed with hymns called Kingdom songs and brief prayers. Twice each year, Jehovah's Witnesses from a number of congregations that form a "circuit" gather for a one-day assembly. Larger groups of congregations meet annually for

9579-510: The winter semester 2007/2008, of energy management. About 1300 students (SS 06) study here at the present. In 2005, the college was renamed the Reinhold Würth University of the University of Heilbronn. The city of Künzelsau is the provider of basic and secondary school in Künzelsau. There are four primary schools in the districts Amrichshausen, Gaisbach (Reinhold-Würth-Schule), Kocherstetten und Taläcker, Georg-Wagner-secondary school,

9682-515: The world. Knorr's presidency was also marked by increased use of explicit instructions guiding Jehovah's Witnesses' lifestyle and conduct and a greater use of congregational judicial procedures to enforce a strict moral code. From 1966, Witness publications and convention talks built anticipation of the possibility that Jesus' thousand-year reign might begin in 1975 or shortly thereafter. The number of baptisms increased significantly, from about 59,000 in 1966 to more than 297,000 in 1974. By 1975,

9785-472: Was announced that, as of September 2014, appointments would be made by traveling overseers. In a major organizational overhaul in 1976, the power of the Watch Tower Society president was diminished, with authority for doctrinal and organizational decisions passed to the Governing Body . Since Knorr's death in 1977, the presidency has been held by Frederick Franz , Milton Henschel , Don Alden Adams and Robert Ciranko . In 1995, Jehovah's Witnesses abandoned

9888-400: Was appointing foreign missionaries and establishing branch offices. By the 1910s, Russell's organization maintained nearly a hundred "pilgrims", or traveling preachers. Russell engaged in significant global publishing efforts during his ministry, and by 1912, he was the most distributed Christian author in the United States. He also directed The Photo-Drama of Creation . Russell moved

9991-536: Was being examined as part of the Heilbronn Stadtbahn . Since 1999, in town, the Künzelsauer Bergbahn funicular railway has connected the main housing Taläcker in the Hohenlohe level with the core city Kocher. Künzelsau is home to several global companies of the sectors assembly parts (distributors), ventilation systems, support equipment, and textiles (jeans). The savings bank of Hohenlohe district

10094-470: Was chosen to distinguish his group of Bible Students from other independent groups that had severed ties with the Society, as well as to symbolize the instigation of new outlooks and the promotion of fresh evangelizing methods. In 1932, Rutherford eliminated the system of locally elected elders and in 1938, he introduced what he called a theocratic (literally, God-ruled ) organizational system, under which appointments in congregations worldwide were made from

10197-522: Was created through him by means of God's power, and that the initial unassisted act of creation uniquely identifies Jesus as God's "only-begotten Son". However, as part of their nontrinitarian beliefs, they do not believe that Jesus is God the Son . Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Mary conceived Jesus as a virgin but do not believe that she was born free from sin or that she remained a virgin after his birth . Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus served as

10300-465: Was expected to submit the amount of hours they spent preaching in their monthly field service report. As of November 1, 2023, this requirement was modified to only members who have agreed to a specific hour requirement (for example, pioneers ). Other members will only be required to check to indicate they engaged in some form of ministry during the month, along with any Bible studies they conducted. Jehovah's Witnesses require individuals to be baptized by

10403-407: Was extended to Forchtenberg in 1924, giving Nagelberg a railway connection. In 1981, passenger services to Hohenlohe were closed in 1991, and this was followed by total closure of the line. Much of the former railway line was converted to a paved bike path that leads up to the level of Hohenlohe. As the end of 2008, it was announced that reopening of the railway section between Künzelsau and Waldenburg

10506-461: Was originally a perfect angel who developed feelings of self-importance and craved worship. Satan influenced Adam and Eve to disobey God, and humanity subsequently became participants in a challenge involving the competing claims of Jehovah and Satan to universal sovereignty. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus began to rule invisibly in heaven as king of God's kingdom in October 1914 and that Satan

10609-456: Was subsequently ousted from heaven to the earth . They base this belief on a rendering of the Greek word parousia —usually translated as "coming" when referring to Jesus—as "presence". Jehovah's Witnesses believe that they are the kingdom's representatives on earth. They also believe that they must remain separate from human governments, which they consider to be controlled by Satan. The kingdom

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