1. EQ: What is Religious Fundamentalism and Tolerance Jehovah’s Witnesses

2. Bell ringer Do you think people make assumptions about or judge others based on religion? Why? Can you give examples? What are assumptions people make about Jehovah’s Witnesses?

3. Foundational terms Fundamentalism: An emphasis on a strict and literal interpretation of a religion’s sacred text and primary teachings ▫Generally dismisses reforms in favor of authoritarian approach Extremism: Belief in and support for ideas that are very far from what most people consider correct or reasonable

4. Religious Tolerance: TPS What is tolerance? Write your own definition ▫And alternatively, what is intolerance? Can you name examples of religious intolerance in history?

5. Read and Annotate Reading on Jehovah’s Witnesses Purpose for reading: ▫Look for examples of fundamentalism, extremism, in/tolerance ▫Gain an understanding of the faith of Jehovah’s Witnesses

6. Film Clip on Jehovah’s Witnesses http://itvs.org/educators/collections/knocking/ lesson_plans/religious-tolerance-in-america Examples of religious tolerance Examples of religious intolerance

7. Fact or Fiction? Jehovah’s Witnesses shun members who leave the faith.

8. Fact Jehovah’s Witnesses shun (or disfellowship) as many as 30,000 members each year who refuse to live by the religion’s moral tenets. Members who leave the faith by formally renouncing it are also subject to shunning.

9. Fact or Fiction? Jehovah’s Witnesses forbid blood transfusions.

10. Fact. Witnesses believe that blood is sacred and should only be used as God designates, based on an interpretation of Biblical texts that prohibit the taking of blood into the body for the purpose of sustaining the body’s functions.

11. Fact or Fiction? Witnesses refuse to celebrate birthdays, Easter and Christmas.

12. Fact. Witnesses refrain from religious holiday celebrations, including Christmas and Easter. Their main objection toward holiday celebrations is the non-biblical origin of traditions and rituals associated with them. They say Jesus said to celebrate his death-not birth or resurrection

13. Fact or Fiction? Jehovah’s Witnesses are politically neutral.

14. Fact. As subjects of God’s government, Jehovah’s Witnesses give God’s laws priority. For this reason, they do not take sides in political issues or military conflicts, nor can they give total allegiance to Earthly governments. Witnesses do not vote or run for political office because they believe it is futile to put faith in humans to fix the world’s problems.

15. Fact or Fiction? Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe in drinking and dancing. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not permit divorce

16. Fiction. Jehovah’s Witnesses are not against parties, music, dancing and drinking of alcohol, as long as they are done in moderation. However, Witnesses are cautious about their entertainment choices. Monogamy between one man and one woman is a requirement. But Witnesses do permit divorce in certain cases, believing that the only valid ground for divorce and remarriage is adultery.

17. Reflection and Discussion 1.How does the information you learned today change your view of Jehovah’s Witnesses? From all religions unlike your own? 2.Do you think people in America are tolerant of different religions? Why or why not? 3.How can you connect fundamentalism, extremism and tolerance to Islam?

18. Informational websites http://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/ http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/knocking /myths.html