Persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses

Throughout the history of Jehovah's Witnesses, their beliefs, doctrines and practices have engendered controversy and opposition from the local governments, communities, or religious groups

Jehovah's Witnesses have been Persecuted since its foundation began. Many Christian denominations consider their interpretation and doctrines to be heresy. Thus some religious leaders have accused Jehovah's Witnesses of being a cult.

Political and religious animosity against them has at times led to mob action and government oppression, in countries such as the United States, Canada and Nazi Germany.

During the world wars, Jehovah's Witnesses were also targeted in the United States, Canada and many other countries because they refused to serve in the military or help with war efforts. In Canada, Jehovah's Witnesses were interned in camps along with political dissidents and people of Japanese and Chinese descent .

The religion was banned at times in the Soviet Union, in Spain (partly due to Jehovah's Witnesses refusal to do military service), and currently is illegal in some countries, such as many Islamic states.

Ken Jubber writes that "Globally, this persecution has been so persistent and of such an intensity that it would not be inaccurate to regard Jehovah's witnesses as the most persecuted religion of the twentieth century".