The international convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses will draw to a close in Melbourne on Sunday, with an estimated 70,000 attendees packed into the Etihad Stadium.
The convention, which began on Friday, has attracted delegates from more than 60 countries to the Victorian capital. Large groups of badge-wearing attendees have been given tours of central Melbourne by fellow Jehovah’s Witnesses, acting as fluorescent-vested guides.
This year’s convention is particularly important to Jehovah’s Witnesses as it marks the centenary of when they believe Jesus Christ began ruling God’s kingdom in 1914.
The program, which was translated into eight languages for the multinational gathering, included a mass baptism event on the Docklands pitch on Saturday.
Titled Keep Seeking First God’s Kingdom, the international convention’s program includes “talks on how to reduce anxiety and the connection between family values and Jesus’ teachings”.
The large numbers of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Melbourne looks set to eclipse the crowd who gathered for the Catholic Jubilee Mass in 2000. Combined with racegoers heading to the Caulfield Cup, the weekend is likely to be a profitable one for Melbourne accommodation providers.
Mike Swan, Jehovah’s Witness spokesman, said that while members of the faith are “sort of taking over town” that “no one needs to be frightened, we’re all friendly and we love to chat to people”.
There are an estimated 20 million Jehovah’s Witnesses in the world, with around 65,000 of them in Australia. About eight million of these adherents undertake door-knocking activities to spread the message of the faith.
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the establishment of God’s kingdom over Earth is the only way to save the planet from becoming morally corrupt under Satan. Followers are known to refuse blood transfusions and military service, as well as shun the practice of celebrating birthdays.
