Bibliography Introduction Surfing the World Wide Web in a search for material on Jehovah's Witnesses or the Watch Tower Society, the observer might get the impression this is a matter of two opposite, exclusive categories. On the one hand we see material published by the Watch Tower Society and individual Jehovah's Witnesses, both advertising their point of view; on the other hand there is a considerable amount of websites criticizing the organization, its teachings and practices. However, during the last decade a third category has emerged which is much harder to find on the Internet. We might designate these publications as detached, objective or neutral. Most of this material has been written by scientific researchers like social scientists and scholars of religious studies. Their aim is to analyze the various characteristics of the Jehovah's Witnesses community from a diverging range of perspectives.

Bibliography Part 1: Books from Academic Sources Bibliography Part 2: Articles in Edited Volumes and Scientific Journals Bibliography Part 3: Polemic Publications by (ex-)Jehovah's Witnesses and other works Bibliography Part 4: Medical-Ethical Publications particularly on the refusal of blood-transfusions by Jehovah's Witnesses Bibliography Part 5: Medical-Technical publications particularly on medical possibilities when confronted with a refusal of blood-transfusion by Jehovah's Witnesses

One the premises of these studies is the omission of 'right' or 'wrong': it is not the scientist's task to judge the basic teachings of the Watch Tower Society, although some may comment on the practical result of these doctrines. Consequently, readers who are interested in theological discussions, will have to look elsewhere.

In many cases, it will not be easy to get access to these publications. Most of the scientific journals, for example, are only available through university libraries - if that university has subscribed to the journal. The same goes for many of the books. Sorry, but that's how it is.
Another problem might be the contents of the information provided: what is the book or article about? Some information can be obtained in Jerry Bergman's Jehovah's Witnesses. A Comprehensive and Selectively Annotated Bibliography (Greenwood Press, 1999) which includes many of the titles we have put on our list, as well as annotations.

We have tried to make the list of publications as exhaustive as possible. However, some may have been overlooked. In that case, you are invited to contact us. And surely, some readers may take a different view on the appropriateness to categorize certain titles as scientific or detached. You may discuss this as well, although these issues tend to dwell and digress extensively. Since science is an inexhaustible reservoir of heated debates, we reserve the right to keep the latter to a minimum.