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Line 68: − − ===Financial controversies=== − While many of the Jehovah's Witnesses' teachings and practices were controversial due to conflicting with the Bible's teachings, this was not the only source of controversy Russell faced. Several times, Russell was also challenged over his financial motivations for running the Jehovah's Witnesses. In 1879, Russell married Maria Ackley in Pittsburgh. Two years later, the two of them founded ''The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society'' and it prospered under them. However, Maria left her husband in 1897, and she sued for separation in 1903. The following court proceedings led to some uncomfortable findings about Russell, including that the wealth from Russell's various subsidiary companies flowed back to a holding company that Russell owned. Of that money, Russell received exactly 99% of profits, with the remaining 1% going to his followers. He had no accountability as to how that money was used.<ref name="Kingdom of the Cults">Martin, Walter. Kingdom of the Cults. Bethany House, 1997.</ref> − Russell and the Watch Tower were also involved in other actives which seemed to be money-making schemes, such as the Watch Tower advertising "Miracle Wheat" seed for $1 per pound (a steep price in the day). They claimed that it would grow five times as much as any other wheat brand. ''The Eagle'' then satirized this scheme with a cartoon, which prompted Russell to sue the publication for libel. The following legal proceedings involved having government experts analyze the wheat in question, as well as Russell's finances. In the end, it was determined by the court that Russell's "Miracle Wheat" was no different than any other, and he lost his $100,000 suit. Today, The Watchtower Society maintains that Russell never benefited financially from the sale of this "Miracle Wheat", but rather donated the proceeds to the organization. They neglect to mention Russell owning 990 of the organizations 1000 shares of stock, meaning he received most of the money donated to the organization.<ref name="Kingdom of the Cults">Martin, Walter. Kingdom of the Cults. Bethany House, 1997.</ref>
Undo revision 1758187 by Northwest (talk) no, it states POV garbage and opinion....
Witnesses are well known worldwide for their door-to-door preaching which features use of the Bible and distribution of ''[[The Watchtower]]'' and ''[[Awake!]]'' magazine. They do not celebrate holidays that are not discussed in the Bible or that they feel serve to exalt individuals, human organizations or national groups, believing them to be an affront to God. In the 1920s and 1930s Witnesses would enter communities in large numbers, play loud phonograph records, and go door-to-door in search of potential converts, and denouncing organized religion as evil. [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]], whose mother was a leader of the Witnesses in Kansas, came under attack for his connection; he defended the group but never affiliated with it. {{citation needed}}
Witnesses are well known worldwide for their door-to-door preaching which features use of the Bible and distribution of ''[[The Watchtower]]'' and ''[[Awake!]]'' magazine. They do not celebrate holidays that are not discussed in the Bible or that they feel serve to exalt individuals, human organizations or national groups, believing them to be an affront to God. In the 1920s and 1930s Witnesses would enter communities in large numbers, play loud phonograph records, and go door-to-door in search of potential converts, and denouncing organized religion as evil. [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]], whose mother was a leader of the Witnesses in Kansas, came under attack for his connection; he defended the group but never affiliated with it. {{citation needed}}
===Pledge of Allegiance===
===Pledge of Allegiance===