“They eat well and there is always fruit on the menu. The religion does not observe any fasts or strict food restrictions whatsoever. After work, many go to the sauna and then grab a beer and just sit around listening to music. There are no drunks among Jehovah’s Witnesses, but alcohol is not forbidden either. Believers are allowed to drink moderate amounts of wine, cognac, vodka and so on. However, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not smoke.

“When a Jehovah’s Witness violates the Bible’s teachings and refuses to repent, he is subjected to the most serious form of punishment—he is expelled. The person can still attend meetings, but he is no longer greeted by his fellow believers. A less severe measure would be a reproof.

“Jehovah’s Witnesses are distinguished by their steadfast belief in living according to the Bible. They try to substantiate their every move with this or that Biblical principle, or by citing a passage from the Old or New Testament. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the Bible and only the Bible contains the answers to all questions. To Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Bible is the constitution, the civil code and the highest expression of truth.

“However, their uncompromising attitude toward the Bible is often the source of some serious clashes between Jehovah’s Witnesses and the government. Their absolutely apolitical stand is a major bone of contention, and it manifests itself in their refusal to serve in the army.

“Jehovah’s Witnesses literally interpret Jesus’ words about how his disciples and his kingdom are no part of this world, and for this reason they refuse to participate in politics and war, no matter where and for what reason it is being waged. Because Jehovah’s Witnesses refused to cry out ‘Heil Hitler’ and serve in Hitler’s army, many thousands of believers were sent to Nazi concentration camps, and thousands died. Each German Jehovah’s Witness who paid with his life for refusing to take part in the aggression against the Soviet Union, is regarded by Russians as a person who committed a highly moral act. At the same time, however, many Russians are not inclined to feel compassion for those [Russian] Jehovah’s Witnesses who were executed for refusing to take up arms and take part in World War II, or who were condemned for refusing to serve in the army during times of peace. But in both cases Jehovah’s Witnesses were acting according to their religious beliefs and not political convictions.

“Another sore spot is the negative attitude of Jehovah’s Witnesses toward inter-religious contact, and their denial of ecumenism. They believe that the Christian world has betrayed God and the Bible, and that all other religions are a disastrous mistake. Jehovah’s Witnesses compare these religions to the ‘harlot of Babylon,’ and maintain that the same fate will befall them. A recent issue of ‘Awake!’ states that the end is near for various religions, and that the only religion that will remain is the one being preached by Jehovah’s Witnesses.