One of the most outstanding differences between Jehovah's Witnesses and other religions, is their view on politics. JW's pride themselves in saying that since they are no part of the world, that being involved with politics is unscriptural. Witnesses are regularly reminded concerning their being neutral. Since Jehovah's Witnesses wear, as a badge of honor, their mark of separation from this world's politics, how would you help a person to see that this course is not a scriptural or even a civic duty?
JW's & Politics: Why Should They Be Involved?
by minimus 15 Replies latest jw friends
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DanTheMan
You hit on an issue I am still wrestling with. Neutrality was one of the big attractions for me. I hated politics before JW, during JW, and I still do today.
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minimus
The Scriptures speak positively of the army officer, rulers, and kings. We are even told to pray for such ones. Just don't vote???
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freedom96
Minimus-
You make a great point. The witnesses stance on political matters just does not make sense. You are right, the bible speaks endlessly of faithful servents that were military leaders, or kings, or others of high positions of power.
I think this is more of an example of how extreme the WTS is to try and seperate their people from the rest of the world. They want to be different, if for no other reason, than to be different. When it is all said and done, that is the reason behind holidays, and every other thing the WTS believes in so much.
God had his people fight wars. That is just the way the world operates. We have laws, we vote, we fight, etc.
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garybuss
Hi Min, Politics is the art or practice or method of governing. To hear it claimed that the Watch Tower Publishing Corporation, the owners of the Jehovah's Witness franchise, is not involved in the practice of governing is laughable.
1. The government of the United States has three branches, the Executive, the Legislative, and the Judicial. The Watch Tower Publishing Corporation holds the record for the number of cases brought before the Judicial branch of the United States political system.
There is no religion in the United States that is more politically involved in politics than the Watch Tower Publishing Corporation.
2. Another way to be involved in politics at the legislative level is to lobby. I seem to remember an article about the Watch Tower Publishing Corporation lobbying every government official in Greece by voice and with a gift of a Proclaimers book. That was lobbying and lobbying is a political activity. What other religion in Greece lobbied government officials in such a large involved way while claiming political un-involvement?
3. In 1933 in Nazi Germany the Watch Tower Publishing Corporation lobbied the Nazi Government and lobbied Chancellor Adolph Hitler directly. Not only does the Watch Tower Publishing Corporation participate in government, but their record indicated compromise of the worst kind. This is well documented in the Year Book of 1934.
4. World government is represented by the United Nations. The Watch Tower Publishing Corporation has participated in the politics of the United Nations by their direct application and involvement as a NGO. Support by involvement is political activity, I'm sorry.
These are not behaviors of a non-political organization. These are behaviors of a very politically active business corporation. The political neutrality is a doctrine but not a reality. gary
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minimus
Good points,all! Gary, you mention the 1934 Yearbook about Germany. Where can this info be found? I know Kent used to have it, but I believe his site is down. Does anybody know if this is temporary???
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email
I agree with gary... good points...
I think it's ironic how you can not get involved in politics as a JW... and yet they are... and make FULL use those same goverments to plea for justice... and then BRAG about the many cases they've won in court...
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joannadandy
Curse you email! You stole my point!
I always wondered how JW's could claim they did not follow politics when they really knew the ins and outs of the legal system...cripes could the leagaleeze of the blood talk we got every year get anymore dry?
Meanwhile I distinctly recall during the Gulf War that this was it...a holy war would be declared, and it was all falling into place as Jehovah planned...soon Religions would fall and Armegeddon would be here. It was the topic of lots of conversations. Of course after such heated discussion a quick "but I don't follow politics or care one way or the other" would be mumbled.
JW's don't live in a vaccum, it's the height of arrogance to think they wouldn't be affected by poltics.
I have to agree with what was said earlier as well. I think a major selling point with people who are apathetic about politics is the neutral stance. It's much easier to sit on your ass and wait for God to fix things than it is to go out and do something now to help your lot in life.
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Wolfgirl
Of course after such heated discussion a quick "but I don't follow politics or care one way or the other" would be mumbled.
I remember that; I think I even did that a few times. How hypocritical. Good points, all. I wonder how I could work the stuff about the '34 yearbook into an email to my sister.
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