United States Holocaust Memorial Museum The Power of Truth: 20 Years
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Declaration Denouncing Beliefs

Jehovah’s Witnesses incarcerated in prisons and concentration camps were given the opportunity to be freed if they signed the following statement renouncing their beliefs and indicating a willingness to become a soldier. Few did so, even when beaten and tortured.

Concentration camp: .......................................
Department II

DECLARATION

I, the ........................................................................
born on .......................................................................
in.............................................................................
herewith make the following declaration:

  1. I have come to know that the International Bible Students Association is proclaiming erroneous teachings and under the cloak of religion follows hostile purposes against the State.
  2. I therefore left the organization entirely and made myself absolutely free from the teachings of this sect.
  3. I herewith give assurance that I will never again take any part in the activity of the International Bible Students Assocation. Any persons approaching me with the teaching of the Bible Students, or who in any manner reveal their connections with them, I will denounce immediately. All literature from the Bible Students that should be sent to my address I will at once deliver to the nearest police station.
  4. I will in the future esteem the laws of the State, especially in the event of war will I, with weapon in hand, defend the fatherland, and join in every way the community of the people.
  5. I have been informed that I will at once be taken again into protective custody if I should act against the declaration given today.

..............................................................................................
Dated.......................................
..............................................................................................
Signature

*  From Jehovah’s Witnesses: Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom. (Brooklyn, N.Y.: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, 1993), p.661.

 

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