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Cultural Immersion: Jehovahs Witnesses

Wilmington University
Leta Nesmith

Volunteers of America serves many diverse populations. This organization serves all those is
need regardless of race, sex, religion, or sexual orientation. The most popular populations served
by this organization are the elderly, children and families, ex-convicts, veterans, and those
suffering from mental health issues.
Community
Hickory Knoll apartments is a subsidized elderly property in Florence, South Carolina. It is a
quiet residential area that sits back off the road. It is owned by Myan Management and operated
by Volunteers of America. There are three staff members on duty at this property: the property
manager, service coordinator and maintenance. This property is home to forty-eight elderly
residents 62 years of age and older.
In taking a closer look of those who make up the assorted the population of Hickory Knoll
(HK) Apartments, it was noticed that the population is not as diverse as previously thought.
Most of the residents of HK are conservative, southern Christians. There are just a few liberals
that can be found on this elderly property. On a religious level, the majority of the property is
Baptist, Methodist, or Episcopalian. There are a few Jehovahs Witnesses residing here.
Jehovahs Witnesses (JW) are a minority group on this property. JWs only account for 4.2
percent of the total resident population. These two JWs are also black females. They are very
friendly and speak to everyone on the property. They also provide support for each other. The
property is also made up of mostly white females. Out of the 48 residents, there are only eight
males resident at this property. Black females only make up 23% (11) of the population.

Access
The property is within walking distance of a shopping center with a grocery store and
restaurant and two gas stations with mini-marts. Within a mile, there is a hospital, a pharmacy,
banks, and another shopping center with many more restaurants. Over half of the residents still
drive and own their own cars. The other residents use transportation through the local senior
center, taxis, or rides from friends and family. Residents are able to walk to some of the stores.
The walk is along a busy 4 lane street. Wide sidewalks are available and the sidewalks are
handicap accessible.

Receptivity
Many visitors and residents agree that the property is very peaceful and inviting. The leasing
office is made up of two offices, a community room and a small kitchen area. There are holiday
and seasonal themed boards that they residents decorate. There is a couch and an accent chair
with a center table and two end tables with lamps. There is a 55-inch flat screen tv with cable for
residents to watch. There are also book shelves with a variety of different reading material.
Upon viewing this room, I believe if I was a Jehovahs Witness I would be comfortable except
for during certain holidays. The residents celebrate many holidays and birthdays. The residents
do decorate the room according to each holiday. They do not seem to mind and have stated they
understand each person believes in different things. At the same time, they do not have anything
reflecting their religion or culture in the office, which should represent them as well.

Staff Training/Funding/Sensitivity
Our company does provide diversity training each year. However, they are mostly about race,
sexual orientation, and religious discrimination such as issues with the Muslim religion. We
have never had a training concerning Jehovahs Witnesses. There are many beliefs that staff
members do not know about or understand concerning JWs such as not receiving blood
transfusions. Since we are normally the first to respond to emergencies and speak with EMS. It
would be helpful to understand or have knowledge of certain things that affect medical decisions.
We do assessments and some of that information does come out during the assessments
conducted by service coordinators.
Sensitivity training is provided by the organization. We are to be sensitive to the needs of
residents which come from different backgrounds. However, I believe the staff tends to have a
stereotype about those of JW faith, and I do not believe staff completely understands their faith
or respects their decisions.
Funding
The service coordinators are entitled to funds to enhance the lives of the residents. This
includes exercise classes, bible study, arts and crafts, etc. There are two different pastors that
come in and conduct bible study with the residents. The organization does not have anyone who
supports those who are of the JW program. The pastors who support the residents are volunteers
and we do not pay for their services. The organization does pay for holiday parties which never
include those of the JW faith. The two JWs do not complain about the lack of activities geared
toward their faith, since they both believe they get everything they need from the Kingdom Hall
and their brothers and sisters in the faith.

Quality/Effectiveness
Volunteers of America measure the quality of their services by providing the residents with
surveys each year. This survey has a section about the programs and residents can write in any
suggestions or ideas they have to improve programs or to add new programs. There has not been
any comments or suggestions about having or adding programs related to the Jehovahs Witness
faith.
I do not believe that there are any witnesses that help to assess programs. Volunteers of
America is a Christian based organization following the teaching of the Bible, but not following
the beliefs of Jehovahs Witnesses. The organization celebrates all the major American holidays
such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter and birthdays. JWs believe these to be pagan
holidays and do not celebrate them.
I do not believe there are unmet need for this population. No matter where the JWs reside,
they are still offered all the same assistance that the other residents are presented. The only
missing piece could be programs directed to their religion, but I do not believe that is an issue for
them.
History of Jehovahs Witnesses
The religion can trace its beginning back to 1872. A man named Charles Taze Russel founded
the International Bible Students Association in Pittsburgh, PA in 1872 (Zavada, 2006). This is
the first congregation of the now Jehovahs Witnesses.
In 1879, he began publishing Zions Watchtower magazine (Zavada, 2016). It gained
popularity and followers from the surrounding stated began to form other congregations based on

the teaching and principles found in this publication. Later in 1886, he moved the organizations
headquarters to Brooklyn, New York, where it still remains to this day (Zavada, 2016).
Russell made prophesies which his followers believed. His first prophesy came in 1914
which he stated that the visible Second Coming of Christ would occur. That did not happen, but
World War I began, which some saw as a sign that he made such a prediction for this year and it
was the beginning of an era of upheaval.
In Germany, Witnesses would not obey and follow Adolph Hitlers regime. Many Witnesses
were persecuted, arrested, tortured and put into concentration camps. Thousands were also
executed due to their neutrality about serving Hitler. Nazis sent more than 13,000 Witnesses to
prisons and concentrations camps and forced to wear a purple triangle patch on their uniforms
(Zavada, 2016). It's estimated that from 1933 to 1945, nearly 2,000 Witnesses were executed by
the Nazis, including 270 who refused to serve in Germany's army (Zavada, 2016).
Film
In 2006, a documentary entitled Knocking, was created. This documentary produced by Joel
Edgardo and Tom Shepard shows the history, beliefs and values of the Jehovahs Witness
religion. This film follows two families who are in the JW faith. Joseph Kempler was in many
different concentration camps during the Holocaust. He cursed God for putting people through
that experience and become a Jehovahs Witness. Even though he is Jewish, he chooses not to
follow the Jewish faith.
There are an estimated seven million JWs across the world in 230 different countries
(Knocking, 2006). JWs spend an estimated 1.3 billion hours speaking and ministering to others

the message of the Bible (Knocking, 2006). This documentary shows how misunderstood this
group is despite being in existence for 130 years.
JWs have won a number of Supreme Court cases, which have expanded freedoms for many
Americans. They attempt to persuade those to their beliefs, but do not want to impose their
beliefs on anyone. This group believe they are moral conservatives and try to stay out of politics
(Knocking, 2006).
The documentary also explains that Witnesses do not believe in Christian holidays, even
though they consider themselves Christians. They believe that the customs we follow are
offensive to Jesus and takes the attention off of Jehovah (Knocking, 2006). Witnesses also do not
believe in the afterlife like other Christians. They believe there will be an Armageddon and
Jehovah will only save certain people. They believe HE will put aside certain people to lead the
next religion. The world will then be a perfect paradise with all races living in harmony
(Knocking, 2006).
Interview
A personal interview was conducted August, 2, 2016 with Ms T.State in Florence, SC. This
interview included information about her upbringing, her faith, and information concerning the
JWs religion.
Ms. State grew up in Mount Zion, SC. She was not raised JW, but as a Baptist. She has
eight siblings and grew up on a farm. The oldest child had the responsibility of taking care of the
older children. She decided to join the JW faith when she was 32 years of age. She said she was
tired of preachers and pastors who were cheaters and liars but people were expected to follow

them (D. State, personal communication, 2016). However, her husband did not join the faith
which caused friction in their marriage.
JWs use the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures bible for worship. In their
congregation, they have a national president and the elders run the church (D. State, personal
communication, 2016). They refer to each other as brother and sister in the church. The brothers
give the talk every Sunday and lead the congregation. During service they sing songs and pray.
They have ministry school where the elders go first. Witnesses believe since the man is the head
of the household, only men should wear pants in the hall so women wear skirts or dresses (D.
State, personal communication, 2016).
They then can go out and give 3, 4, or 7 minute talks and give out the Watchtower and ask
others to pray. If the person is receptive, they will return and pray with the person. When they go
door to door, they travel in twos or threes and always bring one guy when they are out in the
neighborhood. They do this because they believe it is pleasing to God to spread his message.
The biggest misconception about Jehovah Witnesses is that they do not believe in Jesus. They
do believe in Jesus, but believe Jesus and God are separate. They are also criticized for not
celebrating holidays. They believe holidays are man made and not pleasing to GOD. It is
observed that there are no holidays in the Bible so they do not believe in celebrating anything
that is manmade or pagan (D. State, personal communication, 2016). People also do not
understand why they refuse blood. Acts 5:29 is the guiding principle for not receiving blood.
They do not take any foreign blood but do believe in receiving blood but do believe in bloodless
medicines.

NHS
The Responsibility to Clients section guides the programs and services that involve our
organization. Standard 7 states Human Services professionals ensure that their values or biases
are not imposed upon their clients. This would include those of a different religion. The
organization does not force any client to do anything which is against their faith.
Responsibility to the Public and Society
The organization provides services without discrimination (Standard 10, Ethical Standards).
VOA provides services to anyone in need regardless of race, sex, or religion. Standard 11 states
professionals are knowledgeable about cultures in their community. This is not a problem for
Service Coordinators since we do assessments and ask in depth questions. I think most of the
standards are important. They guide the principles that help those of different cultures that we
serve.
I learned a lot about my organization and how the individuals who are Jehovahs Witnesses
operate and function. I learned they are peaceful, open and friendly people. The residents who
reside on my property speak to everyone and love where they live. They try to assist all those in
need regardless of faith, sex or race. I do believe that our organization could do more to help us
learn about this religion and these remarkable people.

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Reference
Ethical Standards for HS Professionals. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.nationalhumanservices.org/ethical-standards-for-hs-professionals
KNOCKING-jehovah witness documentary [Video file]. (2006). Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9efAU2HtQk
Zavada, J. (2016, January 11). Jehovah's Witnesses History (Watchtower Society). Retrieved
from http://christianity.about.com/od/jehovahswitnesses/a/jwhistory.htm