What do you think?
Rate this book
The Day: of Jehovah's Witnesses
Most of us have encountered one of Jehovah's Witnesses, perhaps as an unexpected visitor at the doorstep, a pupil at school, or a patient needing medical care. With nearly eight million members, they are one of the world's fastest growing religions. But what do they believe, and what makes them tick? Until now it has been difficult to find out. There are many books about Jehovah's Witnesses but most are written by fundamentalist Christians, intent on promoting their own version of Christianity. The few personal coming-of-age stories of those who have left the religion are more informative, but they don't tell us much about what Jehovah's Witnesses really believe. This insightful new study from Rachel Walsh takes a different approach. She undertakes a comprehensive study of Jehovah's Witnesses from a secular point of view, including analysis of their beliefs, motivations, and organizational culture. A unique feature of The Day of Jehovah's Witnesses is an introductory short story to each chapter that encourages the reader to reassess what they think they already know. Walsh sweeps away many popular misconceptions about Jehovah's Witnesses, but what she reveals in their place may ultimately surprise you.
306 pages, Paperback
First published November 18, 2013
2 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 2, 2016
I guess the best way for me to review this book is just to paste everything I typed during the "status updates" while reading it. But, as a summary, I will say this: The book was easy to read and I actually enjoyed the intro fictional stories to each chapter (the author should just stick to fiction), but the book never tried to be unbiased and it didn't give enough information about the JW.
It's probably best to read from the bottom up.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
After all the unnecessary explanations of what communism is and other non relevant topics, she completely passes over the blood transfusion issue?? Are you serious? That's a really interesting and important topic to discuss! This book pisses me off.
— 1 hour, 2 min ago The Day: Of Jehovah's Witnesses
Nicole is on page 253 of 308
This is very much an anti-JW and even anti-Christianity book. I just wanted to read about the JW, what their beliefs are, even their scandals. But the author needs some distance from her subject. Her hate for the religion is palpable. So I don't feel like I can fully trust the information in this book. Way too biased.
— 1 hour, 6 min ago The Day: Of Jehovah's Witnesses
Nicole is on page 200 of 308
Now I'm not as disappointed with the author/this book cuz she's FINALLY getting to specific Witness beliefs. Yes, the first part was about biblical teachings which the JW take literally, and I guess it's good as an intro, but I bought this book specifically for JW beliefs, not Christians who take the bible literally and what it says.
— 18 hours, 39 min ago The Day: Of Jehovah's Witnesses
Nicole is on page 118 of 308
This is not a scholarly work. The author doesn't agree with the religion, or even Christianity, and it's painfully obvious. That's frustrating cuz I want to read a history and study on the Witnesses. This book does not achieve that at all so far!
— May 31, 2016 10:11PM The Day: Of Jehovah's Witnesses
Nicole is on page 52 of 308
I don't find the examples of bad behavior by Muslims and Muslim countries to be relevant to this book.
— May 31, 2016 07:19AM The Day: Of Jehovah's Witnesses
Nicole is on page 45 of 308
So far this book reads like a newly turned atheist high school student wrote a paper, and then somehow go it published.
It's probably best to read from the bottom up.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
After all the unnecessary explanations of what communism is and other non relevant topics, she completely passes over the blood transfusion issue?? Are you serious? That's a really interesting and important topic to discuss! This book pisses me off.
— 1 hour, 2 min ago The Day: Of Jehovah's Witnesses
Nicole is on page 253 of 308
This is very much an anti-JW and even anti-Christianity book. I just wanted to read about the JW, what their beliefs are, even their scandals. But the author needs some distance from her subject. Her hate for the religion is palpable. So I don't feel like I can fully trust the information in this book. Way too biased.
— 1 hour, 6 min ago The Day: Of Jehovah's Witnesses
Nicole is on page 200 of 308
Now I'm not as disappointed with the author/this book cuz she's FINALLY getting to specific Witness beliefs. Yes, the first part was about biblical teachings which the JW take literally, and I guess it's good as an intro, but I bought this book specifically for JW beliefs, not Christians who take the bible literally and what it says.
— 18 hours, 39 min ago The Day: Of Jehovah's Witnesses
Nicole is on page 118 of 308
This is not a scholarly work. The author doesn't agree with the religion, or even Christianity, and it's painfully obvious. That's frustrating cuz I want to read a history and study on the Witnesses. This book does not achieve that at all so far!
— May 31, 2016 10:11PM The Day: Of Jehovah's Witnesses
Nicole is on page 52 of 308
I don't find the examples of bad behavior by Muslims and Muslim countries to be relevant to this book.
— May 31, 2016 07:19AM The Day: Of Jehovah's Witnesses
Nicole is on page 45 of 308
So far this book reads like a newly turned atheist high school student wrote a paper, and then somehow go it published.
July 30, 2014
A fascinating look at a religion most of us know very little about. I found it very enlightening. The author uses fictional stories at the start of most chapters which really bring the subject matter to life. This is not a fusty, dusty book. It is a engaging and free-flowing study of what Jehovah's Witnesses believe.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews