Purification, from the series “In the Truth”

Before baptism, the catechumen must pass 3 rounds of questions – answers, during which it is ascertained how well the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses have been learned. This is followed by a personal prayer in which he dedicates himself to Jehovah God, promising to serve forever.
Finally, a public water baptism takes place at the nearest convention.

“In the Truth” series: Religious affiliation is an important pat of the identity of the artist. Since birth, Toms was brought up in the tradition of Jehovah’s Witnesses religion. Analysis of beliefs of this religion and author’s self analysis is at the foundation of a long-term photo project of Toms Harjo “As a Matter of Fact”. The series of photographs is a reflexion on human craving for belonging, their relations with belief and religion. This is search of balance between doubt and passionate belief, between a person and others, between loneliness and belonging.