Why cant JW's be police officers?

by pepperdoodles 33 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  pepperdoodles

  It just makes me wonder who they call when they have a crime in progress. No one likes cops until they need one.
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  Wordly Andre

  My niece is a JW and she works for the Sheriff's department I think she is a dispatch operator, I was actually shocked when she took the job, wonder if the elders told her if it was ok for her to work there.
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  Jeffro

  The reply to a 'From Our Readers' question in a 2003 Awake! article implies that JWs can be police officers.

  *** g03 2/22 p. 30 From Our Readers ***The cover series on the police has made me want to ask a question. Would it be appropriate for one of Jehovah?s Witnesses to choose this occupation? I assume that if a fight ensued, you might have to pull a gun and use it, possibly killing someone. - J. S., Australia
  
  "Awake!"responds: Our cover series simply acknowledged some of the beneficial work performed by the police in maintaining order and providing other necessary services. Most of Jehovah?s Witnesses avoid employment that would require them to carry a weapon, since they do not want to incur bloodguilt by taking a life. (Exodus 20:13; Matthew 26:51, 52) It should be noted, however, that there are many people employed by law-enforcement agencies who do not have to carry any kind of weapon, and in some countries most policemen do not carry guns.
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  unclebruce

  It just makes me wonder who they call when they have a crime in progress. No one likes cops until they need one.

  They call on Jehovah
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  BluesBrother

  British police do not carry guns as part of their normal daily patrol work, although the provision of fireams has become more common aming them for specialist duties in recent years. But :

  1] Police work all kinds of irregular shifts - interferes with meeting attendance

  2] The nature of the work is such that loyalty and heart motivation is bound up in it. I mean that dubs are supposed to have easy jobs that allow them freedom for the "all important preaching work"

  3] Supposing you raided a house on Friday night. Would it look right to work that street on Sunday morning field service?

  4} Would the Police be happy with you knocking on doors with the "Kingdom message"

  5] If you heard something about a "brother" or his family. Would you not have a divided loyalty?

  6] As far as I know, they swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen

  I did know a Policeman who came "into the truth". Once he became serious about J W he started looking for another job . He did leave and I think he is an elder now.
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  aniron

  When I was a JW I knew 2-3 "brothers" who were policemen. In one incident our Service Overseer had his car stolen in it he had the congregations record cards etc. The car was found miles away in another town, were a police sergeant who was a JW recognised what they were, and knew the SO, he contacted the brother.

  The reasons I was told, were if a policeman became a JW while serving as a policeman he could continue to do so.

  But a JW could not become a police because it involved taking an oath of loyalty to the Queen.
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  sass_my_frass

  Hi there poodles and welcome... I had a mate who studied with a guy who became a cop. Because he was a cop, the study petered out (it was to do with him having to carry a gun, but to a lot of people it was also about the fact that he had a career and wasn't willing to drift from one minimum-wage job to another). I'm so glad, he was such a nice guy and he didn't get sucked in.
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  Deputy Dog

  pepperdoudles

  As an officer myself, would a police officer be able to function as a JW? You would have to stop thinking like a cop when you go to meetings or participate. When at work your duty is to the truth, as a JW your duty is to the org. and protecting the org's lies.

  Anyone who loves the truth can't stay a JW very long.

  D Dog
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  blondie

  JWs can't use guns in their employment but they are not df'd if they own them. They will lose their "privileges," that is they cannot serve as elders, MS, pioneers, or other nebulous privileges given to men in the congregation. But that does not mean they cannot own guns to hunt. Several elders and MS own hunting guns and go hunting in season. I have even known elders to miss the CO visit when it falls during an important hunting season, to the CO's chagrin.

  Notice how the WTS tries to get into the personal lives of JWs on this issue:

  ***

  w9812/15p.22WhenArmedRobbersStrike***

  Some people desperately seek security by arming themselves with guns. Christians, though, take seriously the words of Jesus, who said: "Those who take the sword will perish by the sword." (Matthew 26:52) God?s people have ?beaten their swords into plowshares? and do not buy guns to protect themselves from robbery or assault.?Micah 4:3.

  What about arranging for armed security guards? While this would be a matter for personal decision, remember that such an arrangement puts the gun in the hands of someone else. What would an employer expect of the guards if a robber came along? Would he expect the guards to shoot the thief if necessary to protect the people and possessions that were being guarded?

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  w0511/1p.31QuestionsFromReaders***

  Knowing this, could a person remain "free from accusation" were he to choose armed employment that might bring him into conflict with such individuals? (1 Timothy 3:10) Hardly. For this reason, the congregation would not regard such a person as "irreprehensible" if he continued to carry a weapon after being kindly given Bible counsel. (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:5, 6) Thus, such a man or woman would not qualify for any special privileges in the congregation.

  The WTS does try and demonize hunting and fishing though:

  ***w905/15p.31QuestionsFromReaders***

  Such a thrill over hunting or killing animals, or over reeling in fish, could develop in a Christian. Many a hunter or fisherman who has scrutinized his heart has discovered that he was infected with the ?joy of the kill.? Such excitement goes hand in hand with wanton disregard for animal life. So while it is not wrong to hunt or fish (when the kill or catch will be used by someone for food or another fitting purpose), it would be improper to do so if a Christian had a spirit reminiscent of Nimrod. But there are dangers besides getting a thrill out of the chase, the kill, or a trophy.

  The

  Watchtower of July 15, 1983, discussed why true Christians do not carry or keep guns for use against humans or protection from them. (Pages 23-6) Meditating on that counsel has led some Witnessesto reevaluate having even hunting guns. Not a few have chosen to get rid of their guns altogether or to avoid having them on display and readily accessible. These Christians thus would not give the impression of taking pride in weapons or trusting in them. Furthermore, not even having hunting guns, or not having them easily accessible, can avert tragedy. The deadly weapons could not then come into the hands of children who might accidentally hurt or kill someone, nor would guns be at hand if someone was extremely frightened or depressed.?Compare Proverbs 22:3.

  But then the WTS speaks out of the other side of its mouth:

  ***w905/15p.31QuestionsFromReaders***

  Some Christians may like the flavor of certain game or fish, and the most practical way to obtain such food is by hunting or fishing. Others enjoy the air and exercise linked with hunting in the woods, or find that quiet hours of fishing are relaxing. The Bible does not speak against this, so there is no need to judge others as to whether they enjoy such things or not. And the example of Isaac and his sons shows that there is no need to make an issue of who will eat the game or fish.?Matthew 7:1-5; Romans 14:4.

  But again:

  Similarly, a Christian who in good conscience chooses to go hunting or fishing should have his priorities in order. For example, if a hunting or fishing season was to open at a time when congregation meetings were scheduled, what would he do? Or does his conversation show that he takes pride in his prowess at hunting or fishing?

  I know of many JWs who own handguns to hunt with..........and who miss meetings during the hunting season (the same way they miss them during vacation).

  Blondie
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  aniron

  I remember years ago watching some documentary about families in USA.

  One family were JW's and farmers, they showed the father and son with shotguns going out to shoot "vermin" and rabbits.

  I recall my wife saying "They can't be real JW's they've got guns!"