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The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses is the ruling council of Jehovah's Witnesses, [1] based in the denomination's Warwick, New York, headquarters.The body formulates doctrines, oversees the production of written material for publications and conventions, and administers the denomination's worldwide operations.
Jehovah's Witnesses consider the Bible to be scientifically and historically accurate and reliable [51] and interpret much of it literally, while also accepting it contains much symbolism. [52] Jehovah's Witnesses base all of their beliefs on the Bible, as interpreted by the Governing Body. [53]
The denomination is directed by a group known as the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, which establishes all doctrines. [18] [19] Congregational disciplinary actions include formal expulsion and shunning, for what they consider serious offenses. [20] [21] Members who formally leave are considered to be disassociated and are also shunned. [22]
In 1990, 68 Jehovah’s Witness elementary students were expelled for refusing to participate in daily flag-raising ceremonies. In Ebralinag, et al. vs. Division Superintendent of Schools of Cebu, the court ruled that Jehovah's Witnesses are permitted to refrain from saluting the Philippine flag and singing the national anthem.
The Governing Body also devoted part of the annual meeting to revising its interpretation of biblical prophecies about the end times — a paramount focus of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Each year, Witnesses from several congregations, which form a "circuit", gather for two one-day assemblies. Several circuits meet once a year for a three-day "regional convention". Every few years the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses hold "international conventions" in selected cities around the world.
1971: Establishment of the "Governing Body of Jehovah's witnesses" on October 1, 1971, now distinct from the Watch Tower Society. [246] 1973: Tobacco use banned. Tobacco users not to be accepted for baptism and baptized Witnesses to be disfellowshipped if they continue to smoke after "a reasonable period of time, such as six months". [247]
The Governing Body was then for the first time formally defined, indicating that it provided Jehovah's Witnesses with direction, guidance, and regulation. [ 17 ] [ 18 ] All doctrinal and publishing decisions continued to be made by or were subject to, the approval of the society's president. [ 19 ]