is it ilegal to DF someone for voting?

by Pleasuredome 15 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  Bonnie_Clyde

  We had the same talk from the CO. He referred back to the 1950 WT article about being able to go to the polls (if required by law) but not actually voting. Then he said basically the same thing, some people thought from the 1999 article that it was now OK. He said, "The Society has NOT changed their stance, brothers. Then he went on to make an exception, if your employer required it, then you should talk to the elders to see if it was OK. You know what they'd say.

  I then looked up an article I remembered about the brothers in Cameroon in the early 1970's who suffered intense persecution because they refused to even go to the polls when it was required by the authorities. It was OK to go to the polls in 1950, not in 1972, but OK under some circumstances in 1999. Seems like double talk.
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  Oxnard Hamster

  How would they find out if you voted? Unless another JW happens to be at a place where voting takes place. However, that begs the question: what is that person doing there in the first place?
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  TheListener

  It's things like this that confuse the honesthearted ones in the organization. By all appearances you can vote in the U.S. if you would like to. But, the reality is that you'll probably be considered DA'd or be DF'd if everyone catches wind of what you did.

  When the rank and file can't follow what is written in the WT/AW without fear of being DF/DA that's when more defections will happen. The rank and file's lives are controlled by the printed page, not necessarily the verbal direction for COs or elders. COs and elders come and go but the WT is directly from "mother".
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  blondie

  http://www.dailysouthtown.com/southtown/dsnews/095nd1.htm

  http://www.biblicalrecorder.org/content/news/2005/5_6_2005/ne060505achurch.shtml

  How about be ousted (df'd) for not voting for the right person?
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  JW Ben

  Here in Austarlia it is law to vote. If you do not turn up at the polling station a fine can be issued. i letter is sent out to all those that did not get their names crossed of the list asking why they did not vote. If there was no good reason you are fined.

  The state elections the law is slightly more leaqnient tham for commonwealth elections.

  JWs can if the want ot turn up at a polling booth and get their name crossed of. What they do with their ballot paper is up to them.

  If it becomes known to the JW community that someone actually cast a valid vote for a political party that is a sign that they no longer want to be knwon as a JW because it is taken they are no longer nuetrual and no longer want to support God as ruler over them.

  I have never been to a polling both and have never been fined. .
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  AK - Jeff

  w99 11/1
  In view of the Scriptural principles outlined above, in many lands Jehovah?s Witnesses make a personal decision not to vote in political elections, and their freedom to make that decision is supported by the law of the land. What, though, if the law requires citizens to vote? In such a case, each Witness is responsible to make a conscientious, Bible-based decision about how to handle the situation. If someone decides to go to the polling booth, that is his decision. What he does in the polling booth is between him and his Creator.

  Shouldn't this be amended to read " What he does in the polling booth is between him and the elders, Governing Body, Circuit Overseer, District Overseer, and any others who may get involved if he actually thinks he has the right to use his own conscience. And beware that we don't allow that in this organization, for we are sure that group-think is the best approach in all matters spiritual, fleshly or political." ?

  Jeff