Is there any religious significance as to why the Kingdom Halls of Jehovah's Witnesses have no windows?

Question

It seems like every Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses does not contain windows to see inside and outside of the congregation. Is there any reason behind this or is it just a coincidence?

Answer 1

The premise of the question is false.

Generally, a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses is built without windows only in areas which tend toward hate crimes and vandalism against houses of worship. Sadly, it seems that the questioner must be from an area with a reputation for bigotry and lawlessness.

Jehovah's Witnesses are proven to be true Christians based upon the Witnesses' preaching work and the anti-Witnesses' bigoted hatred against them.

(2 Timothy 4:3-5) For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching, but, in accord with their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves to have their ears tickled; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, whereas they will be turned aside to false stories. You, though, keep your senses in all things, suffer evil, do the work of an evangelizer, fully accomplish your ministry.

Answer 2

Quite a few Kingdom halls are called "Quick Builds."

That means a huge amount of volunteer’s show up over a 4-day weekend and build an entire kingdom hall (Church). All the supplies, tools, food for the volunteers have to be on site prior to the 4 day quick build.

Years ago they did quick builds in 2-3 days but it became a safety hazard.

If there is a way to shave off time and cost then the JWs do it so it is completed in the 4 days. So windows are removed.

Maybe the only religious significance is that JWs will not have iconic images anywhere where Churches will have stain glass of peoples who they worship. But as others have already pointed out it really has no religious philosophy behind it, it’s just to save money cause all the money comes from the attendees.

Why spend a bunch of money on one church with a lot of upkeep when you can build two? Or put the money towards other volunteer projects?

Answer 3

Hi, This seems to be a favorite among askers. If you look at the previous times this question has been asked you will see basicly the same answers. Some have Windows, some don't. I saw a video recently of a Kingdom Hall, that do to the climate was built with large open spaces, not windows exactly, but large openings for air to flow through. One Kingdom Hall in my hometown, had to go so far as to, not have windows, put bars on the doors, remove the mail slot, and put a cage around the Heat and Air unit because of the BAD neighborhood. A couple years ago we tore down, then rebuilt/expanded a Kingdom Hall down in Macon Georgia. Many of the neighbors came by to see the windows. Not sure why it seems to bother people. It is for the same reason different Wal*Marts are built differently. It depends on finances, area building codes, safety, etc. Please remember there are Thousands of Kingdom Halls. They don't all look the same.

Also someone else asked the religous significance of porticos. There is none. Some Halls have them, others don't. They are simply there to keep people dry when getting out of the car.
Hope this helps.

Answer 4

There is no religious significance. In fact, I attended a Kingdom Hall as a child that DID have windows. In recent years, however, our brotherhood has grown enough to necessitate a number of new Kingdom Halls be built.

Jehovah's Witnesses build their own Kingdom Halls. That means that people who work regular 40 hour a week jobs travel to help put a building together sometimes in just a weekend.

That said every effort is made to make the building a nice compliment to the neighborhood. So no grand buildings, no stained glass, nothing extravagant.

Every effort is made to make the building process efficient. We have just a couple of floor plans that are only moderately modified for each build. Which is why most Kingdom Halls look very much alike.

Every effort is made to keep the cost down. Leaving out windows help do just that. Also, it keeps insurance costs low. As another poster mentioned, vandals love to break windows. I can't imagine how much other churches put out to replace their very beautiful windows when they are repeatedly broken.

Answer 5

It's actually because windows cost alot of money. Jehovah's Witnesses are very conservative with their money, they want to be able to build as many Kingdom Halls as possible. :)

Answer 6

Never seen that, actually. I used to go when I was a kid. They always had windows, and some had windows that could be openeded for air. I remember cuz when they showed short movies or slide shows during the day, they'd have to tape plastic bags over the windows to block the light.

Beyond that, almost anyone can just walk in to attend one of their meetings. There's really nufin to hide. lol

Answer 7

There is no religious significance to having windows or not having them. Some Halls have windows, some don"t.

Answer 8

It is mostly to save money on insurance purposes but it also saves on heating and cooling costs. For the most part Jehovah's Witnesses try to use all money collected for the furtherance of God's work. Therefore, they are frugal and careful in spending.

Answer 9

My Kingdom Hall has many windows. It has four on the left side and four on the right side. I'm sorry to disappoint you but we have windows.

Answer 10

There have been acts of violence towards Kingdom Halls of Jehovah's Witnesses. Windows broken out during acts of violance and friends being hurt by flying glass. There are many accounts world wide of attacks on Kingdom Halls.
Then you have vandalism, breakins,cost of building materials, security alarms costs.
Nothing to hide. All are welcome to attend our meetings.
Why not come see for yourselves and see what takes place during one of our services.
Don't limp on others opinions, come see for yourselves!!!!!!