Editing Jehovah's Witnesses practices (section)

{{Short description|Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses}}
{{About|the activities and practices of Jehovah's Witnesses|Jehovah's Witnesses' core beliefs|Jehovah's Witnesses beliefs}}
{{Primary sources|date=December 2011}}
{{Jehovah's Witnesses}}
[[Jehovah's Witnesses]]' practices are based on the [[Bible|biblical]] interpretations of [[Charles Taze Russell]] (1852–1916), founder ({{circa}} 1881) of the [[Bible Student movement]], and of successive presidents of the [[Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania |Watch Tower Society]], [[Joseph Franklin Rutherford]] (from 1917 to 1942) and [[Nathan Homer Knorr]] (from 1942 to 1977). Since 1976, practices have also been based on decisions made at closed meetings of the group's [[Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses |Governing Body]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Franz|2002|p= 106}}.</ref> The group disseminates instructions regarding activities and acceptable behavior through ''[[The Watchtower]]'' magazine and through other [[Jehovah's Witnesses publications |official publications]], and at conventions and congregation meetings.

Jehovah's Witnesses endeavor to remain "separate from the world",<ref>{{cite magazine |title= Keep Clear of False Worship! |magazine= The Watchtower |date= March 15, 2006 |page= 30 |quote= [Jehovah's Witnesses] are 'no part of the world.' (John 15:19) The term 'world' here refers to human society alienated from God. (Ephesians 4:17–19; 1 John 5:19) We are separate from the world in that we shun attitudes, speech, and conduct that offend Jehovah. (1 John 2:15–17) Moreover, in harmony with the principle that 'bad associations spoil useful habits,' we avoid intimacy with those who do not live by Christian standards. (1 Corinthians 15:33) To be no part of the world is to remain 'without spot from the world.' (James 1:27) Hence, being separate from the world does not mean that we physically withdraw from all contact with other people.}}</ref> which they regard as a place of moral contamination and under the control of [[Satan]]. Witnesses refuse to participate in any political and military activity and are told to limit social contact with non-Witnesses.<ref>{{Harvnb|Holden|2002|pp= 7, 109–112}}.</ref> The denomination requires adherence to a strict moral code, which forbids premarital sex, homosexuality, [[gender transitioning]],<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date= 2003|title= Alternative Life-Styles—Does God Approve? — Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY|url= https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102003726?q=Gender&p=par|access-date= 2021-07-29|website= wol.jw.org}}</ref> adultery, smoking, drunkenness and drug abuse, and blood transfusions.<ref>{{Harvnb|Holden|2002|pp= 26, 28}}.</ref> 

[[Jehovah's Witnesses and congregational discipline#Discipline involving "serious sin"|Elder committees]] maintain discipline within congregations, exercising the power to expel members who breach the denomination's rules and to demand their [[shunning]] by other Witnesses.<ref>{{Harvnb|Penton|1997|p= 90}}.</ref> The threat of shunning also serves to deter members from dissident behavior.<ref>{{Harvnb|Holden|2002|p= 163}}.</ref>

Members are expected to participate regularly in [[Evangelism| evangelizing work]] and to attend congregation meetings and conventions that present material based on Watch Tower Society publications.<ref>{{Harvnb|Holden|2002|pp= 66–68}}.
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