I may be repeating this -if someone else has posted it. Sorry! It seems they are now allowed to have a guns in their possesion.A consience matter????Let me know after you have read it please ( some one just phoned me to tell me this!!!! But I didnt read it in context. Thanks
Watchtower Nov 1st 2005
by mouthy 5 Replies latest watchtower bible
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Finally-Free
I haven't seen the article, but there was a questions from readers in the early 1990's about hunting, and it said it was a conscience matter. I would be surprised if they allowed JWs to own handguns now. You aren't allowed to use handguns for hunting in Ontario, but I don't know about other areas.
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AnnOMaly
It's a Question From Readers.
"Can a Christian maintain a good conscience if he accepts employment that involves being armed?"
Usual intro - certain forms of employment violating Bible principles should be avoided like those connected with gambling, promoting tobacco, misuse of blood (huh? I thought they relaxed on that one? Doctors?). Other types of work, though not biblically condemned, might violate own conscience or that of others.
This is the key part:
"Engaging in secular work that requires carrying a firearm or another weapon is a personal decision. However, armed employment exposes one to the possibility of becoming bloodguilty if called upon to use one's weapon. Hence, a Christian needs to consider prayerfully whether he is willing to accept the burden of making a snap decision where human life is involved. Carrying a weapon also exposes a person to the danger of injury or death from an attack or reprisal."
Then the article says others might be affected - (paraphrasing) how can one preach about being peaceable with all men if they're at work carrying a weapon? Would owning a handgun and keeping it in the house be a potential danger to family like kids? Would other's be stumbled by your stand on the matter? Would a person be 'free from accusation' if he chose armed employment that would bring him into contact with 'fierce' people 'without love of goodness'? No, because the person would be 'irreprehensible' if he continued to carry a weapon after being counseled not to - therefore, they wouldn't qualify for congo privileges. It finishes with an appeal to trust Jehovah to sustain us, put Kingdom interests first and not to be overly concerned about the necessities of life.
So basically the article seems to be saying that, yes, it's your own decision, but we don't approve and you probably won't get privileges if you do - you'd be better finding another job.
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mouthy
So basically the article seems to be saying that, yes, it's your own decision, but we don't approve
Well I am still shocked.!!! because I knew SO many who got rid of their guns after the CO visit & HIS talk about them Oh well what else is new? Jehovahs having a changing outlook.Thanks Ann
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BluesBrother
AnnOMaly [ or is it anomaly?] has done a good job of summarising the latest article . I attach a cd rom of a previous article . I do not think that they are so very different. Both articles stop short of saying outright that you are not allowed to carry one , but make it clear that no dub in good standing would do so. See what you think
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w83 7/15 pp. 25-26 "Seek Peace and Pursue It" ***Use
of Arms in Civilian Employment17
If someone has employment that involves carrying a weapon for use against other humans, or if he is required to be trained in the martial arts, such as judo and karate, what should he do? In making his personal decision he must bear in mind that a follower of Jesus is to pursue peace. (Romans 12:17, 18) In view of what is stated at Isaiah 2:4, most of Jehovah’s Witnesses avoid such employment. Even though the employment may be for the purpose of protecting the public (or property) in harmony with Romans 13:4, experience has shown that there is always the danger of incurring bloodguilt by taking life with the weapon, with harm to the individual’s conscience, as well as there being a danger of injury or death to oneself due to retaliation. (Psalm 51:14; compare Numbers 35:11, 12, 22-25.) Certainly it is best to avoid such dangers by selecting employment where they do not arise.
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During these "last days," many employees are expected to carry a firearm. Bank or security guards, watchmen and policemen may even be required to do so to hold employment. But what of the Christian, who is obligated to "provide for those who are his own"? (1 Timothy 5:8) His Bible-trained viewpoint would be different from that of worldly persons, who feel free to carry such weapons and to use them as they see fit in any dangerous situation that may arise. (Ephesians 5:15-17) He will want to avoid bloodguilt, having in mind Jehovah’s viewpoint on the sanctity of blood. (Genesis 9:6; Psalm 55:23) A mature Christian should try to find unarmed employment. Some Witnesses by talking with their employer have been successful in changing to a job that does not require carrying a weapon.
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As the world becomes increasingly violent we can no longer regard as exemplary a brother who continues in armed employment. He could be allowed six months to make a change. If he does not make a change, he would not be in a position to hold special privileges of service and responsibility in the congregation.—1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:5, 6.
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Scully
The article makes it sound as though people who carry firearms in the course of their employment duties are just firing their guns off willy nilly at anything and everything. That's just ludicrous.... and I'm embarrassed to say that I used to think that as a JW. Police officers (one of our neighbours is a Sergeant for the municipal police department) and military personnel (another neighbour and lots of our new friends are military folks) receive extensive training in how to handle a "situation" and the use of firearms is regarded as a measure of last resort. Police officers are required to complete incident reports if they even draw their weapon, and it's even more involved - in terms of investigations - if the officer fires the weapon.
I see this as another attempt by the WTS to demonize these professions to young people. Of course, at the rate that young people are leaving the JWs, they're probably just shooting themselves in the foot.