Capitalism, politics and religion: Jehovah's witness and the revolt againts modernity

Abstract

This article discusses the historical processes and sociological aspects of the doctrine of the devil's three instruments of Jehovah's Witnesses, based on an analysis of religious books and James M. Penton's historiographical work. The doctrine is a theological elaboration that conceives capitalism, politics, and religions as evil creations. It negatively emphasizes profit and competition, affirming that the community should prevail over the individual. Democracy is repudiated in favor of theocracy, seen as the only just political system. Members of the religion are instructed not to participate in elections or cast null votes, as well as to reject national symbols. The hypothesis of this work is that the achievement of happiness and salvation for Jehovah's Witnesses presupposes a pact against democracy, institutions, and modern values, in a committed form of negation of Modernity.