by oppostate 3 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
If you have a Facebook account head on over to:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/flagsoftheworld/
They're discussing the JW flags that showed up at the RC.
One JW seems to be asking why would it be strange for the WT to have a flag for their religion.
I dunno, maybe because flags can be symbolic idols according to previous WT teachings?
The irony of the JW flag is that their claim that flags were "idol worship" apparently doesn't apply to their own flag now. The WTS is duplicitous in how they apply Bible verses only when it is convenient for them.
In 1943, in the United States Supreme Court, the WTS used the Bible verse in Exodus that condemns idol worship as the religious grounds for refusing to salute the flag:
Appellees, citizens of the United States and of West Virginia, brought suit in the United States District Court for themselves and others similarly situated asking its injunction to restrain enforcement of these laws and regulations against Jehovah'sWitnesses. The Witnesses are an unincorporated body teaching that the obligation imposed by law of God is superior to that of laws enacted by temporal government. Their religious beliefs include a literal version of Exodus, Chapter 20, verses 4 and 5, which says: "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down thyself to them nor serve them." They consider that the flag is an "image" within this command. For this reason they refuse to salute it.
And it wasn't just the US flag that they claimed was an issue. They claimed that allegiance to any flag was a violation of God's law:
The statute requires the appellees to participate in a ceremony aimed at inculcating respect for the flag and for this country. The Jehovah's Witnesses, without any desire to show disrespect for either the flag or the country, interpret the Bible as commanding, at the risk of God's displeasure, that they not go through the form of a pledge of allegiance to any flag. The devoutness of their belief is evidenced by their willingness to suffer persecution and punishment, rather than make the pledge.
Whats that normal everyday JW? You think the JW.org flag is a harmless reminder of a website that dispenses spiritual truth? the fact it flies overhead for all to see doesn't mean you revere it in an inappropriate way? You don't recite anything to it because a flag in and of itself cannot be worshipped anyways, but you do respect what it represents? Its just a meaningless symbol?
Well.......how very interesting.
