The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania is the main corporation representing the Jehovah's Witnesses, and publishes The Watchtower. A corporation is a legal entity (distinct from a natural person) that often has similar rights in law to those of a Civil law systems may refer to corporations as moral persons; they may also go by the name AS (anonymous society) or something similar, depending on language (see below). ... Jehovahs Witnesses offer copies of The Watchtower from door to door or, when approval is given, wherever people might read them. ...

It was founded by Charles Taze Russell and his friends in 1881. It was originally called Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society with William H. Conley as president and Russell as secretary-treasurer. It was registered in Pennsylvania December 15, 1884 with Russell as president. In 1896 the name was changed to Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, and since 1955 it has been officially known as the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. It is often simply called the Watchtower Society. Charles Taze Russell, (February 16, 1852 - October 31, 1916), known as Pastor Russell, was an American Protestant evangelist from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania who founded what is known as the Bible Student movement. ... 1881 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... State nickname: The Keystone State Other U.S. States Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Governor Ed Rendell (D) Official languages None Area 119,283 km² (33rd)  - Land 116,074 km²  - Water 3,208 km² (2. ... 1884 is a leap year starting on Tuesday (click on link to calendar). ... 1896 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1955 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Presidents of the Watchtower Society since the registration in 1884 have been:

• Charles Taze Russell (1884 - 1916)
• Joseph Franklin Rutherford (1916 - 1942)
• Nathan H. Knorr (1942 - 1977)
• Frederick W. Franz (1977 - 1992)
• Milton G Henschel (1992 - 2000)
• Don A. Adams (2000 - present)

Charles Taze Russell, (February 16, 1852 - October 31, 1916), known as Pastor Russell, was an American Protestant evangelist from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania who founded what is known as the Bible Student movement. ... 1884 is a leap year starting on Tuesday (click on link to calendar). ... 1916 is a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January-February January 1 -The first successful blood transfusion using blood that had been stored and cooled. ... Joseph Franklin Rutherford 8 November 1869—8 January 1942, is best known as the second president of the Watch Tower Society, the legal organization used by Jehovahs Witnesses. ... 1916 is a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January-February January 1 -The first successful blood transfusion using blood that had been stored and cooled. ... This article is about the year. ... Nathan Homer Knorr (April 23, 1905 - June 8, 1977) was the third president of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society doing so on January 13, 1942, replacing Joseph Franklin Rutherford, who had served in the position since 1916. ... This article is about the year. ... 1977 was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1977 calendar). ... Frederick William Franz - (September 12, 1893-December 22, 1992) was an important figure in the organization of Jehovahs Witnesses. ... 1977 was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1977 calendar). ... 1992 was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... Milton G. Henschel (August 9, 1920 - March 22, 2003) was the person who succeded Frederick W. Franz as the president of Watchtower Society. ... 1992 was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... This article is about the year 2000. ... Don A. Adams is the current president of the Watch Tower Society. ... This article is about the year 2000. ...

See also

• Legal instruments of Jehovah's Witnesses
• Organizational Structure of Jehovah's Witnesses

A number of corporations are in use by Jehovahs Witnesses. ... Jehovahs Witnesses have a unique organizational structure, unlike that of other religious organizations. ...

Websites critical of the Watchtower Society

• Quotes direct and unedited from Watchtower publications Quotes shows how many of the Watchtower's beliefs have changed, totally reversed, or are contradictory. No critical commentary, just direct quotes proving the points listed by subject from the Watch Tower's own literature in context, with many scans exposing conflicting doctrines, or complete doctrinal reversals.

• Associated Jehovah's Witnesses for Reform on Blood For those Jehovah's Witnesses, family or friends who sincerely believe that they should make their own choice on the blood doctrine, based on their conscience before God, with extensive articles, and reasoning for this position revealing what they see as flawed reasoning and double standards of the Watchtower organisation in regard to Blood Transfusions.

• Free minds A site for serious consideration of doctrinal errors and reversals by the Watchtower organisation, normally hidden in newer Watchtower literature. Extensively documented with scans, quotes, audio files, and comprehensive material proving critical points directly taken from the Watchtower's own literature covering the full history of the Watchtower Society.

• Watchtower’s Prophecies A detailed list of four pages of direct quotes from the Watchtower Society’s literature, with date and publication sources, showing how many failed prophecies, and strange teaching have arisen and then been removed at a later date and generally hidden from public knowledge.

• Jehovah's-Witness.com A large archived message board for all things Jehovah's Witness, discussing doctrines, behaviours, news, and Watchtower related subjects, thousands of articles by members posting.

External Links

• Watchtower - Official Web Site of Jehovah's Witnesses - This is the authoritative web site about the beliefs, teachings, and activities of Jehovah's Witnesses.