some of the new teachings resulted in suffering for many jehovah's witnesses. thousands were sent to prison, beaten or killed in several countries during world war ii because they refused to fight. in germany, many were sent to concentration camps because they would not support the nazi party. later, in the united states, many of their children were expelled from schools because they refused to salute the flag, because they thought that god would not approve. some countries still have laws against members practicing the religion. by 1977 they had more than two million members around the world.