don't know if any of u guys can help me out, i could swear i read somewhere that voting is a matter of consciense now, only i was having a disscussion with bro in law who says i am wrong, i'm sure i read it in the watchtower...or did i dream it?? If anyone knows what the current standing is or if there is a watchtower on it would be grateful to know ...thanks x
current 'light' on voting
by beezknees 9 Replies latest jw friends
-
-
serendipity
In some countries people are required to go to the polls. JW's go to the polls, but they don't actually vote. That's their conscience matter.
-
beezknees
thanks for that seehow much attention i paid to my watchtower lol
-
greendawn
Tey just put a blank vote in the ballot box that is they don't vote for anyone, it's just to show up for the voting as required by law.
-
hartstrings
You aren't crazy, I remember something brought up here about that. Maybe someone else remembers the article. Regardless, I voted for the first time in the 15 yrs I've had that privilege, earlier this week.
HS
-
gumby
*** Watchtower 1999 November 1 pp.28-9 Questions From Readers ***
Questions From Readers
How do Jehovah's Witnesses view voting?
There are clear principles set out in the Bible that enable servants of God to take a proper view of this matter. However, there appears to be no principle against the practice of voting itself. For example, there is no reason why a board of directors should not take a vote in order to arrive at decisions affecting their corporation. Congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses often make decisions about meeting times and the use of congregation funds by voting with a show of hands.What, though, of voting in political elections? Of course, in some democratic lands, as many as 50 percent of the population do not turn out to vote on election day. As for Jehovah's Witnesses, they do not interfere with the right of others to vote; neither do they in any way campaign against political elections. They respect and cooperate with the authorities who are duly elected in such elections. (Romans 13:1-7) As to whether they will personally vote for someone running in an election, each one of Jehovah's Witnesses makes a decision based on his Bible-trained conscience and an understanding of his responsibility to God and to the State. (Matthew 22:21; 1 Peter 3:16) In making this personal decision, the Witnesses consider a number of factors.
First, Jesus Christ said of his followers: "They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world." (John 17:14) Jehovah's Witnesses take this principle seriously. Being "no part of the world," they are neutral in the political affairs of the world.—John 18:36.
Second, the apostle Paul referred to himself as an "ambassador" representing Christ to the people of his day. (Ephesians 6:20; 2 Corinthians 5:20) Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Christ Jesus is now the enthroned King of God's heavenly Kingdom, and they, like ambassadors, must announce this to the nations. (Matthew 24:14; Revelation 11:15) Ambassadors are expected to be neutral and not to interfere in the internal affairs of the countries to which they are sent. As representatives of God's heavenly Kingdom, Jehovah's Witnesses feel a similar obligation not to interfere in the politics of the countries where they reside.
A third factor to consider is that those who have a part in voting a person into office may become responsible for what he does. (Compare 1 Timothy 5:22, The New English Bible.) Christians have to consider carefully whether they want to shoulder that responsibility.
Fourth, Jehovah's Witnesses greatly value their Christian unity. (Colossians 3:14) When religions get involved in politics, the result is often division among their members. In imitation of Jesus Christ, Jehovah's Witnesses avoid becoming involved in politics and thus maintain their Christian unity.—Matthew 12:25; John 6:15; 18:36, 37.
Fifth and finally, their keeping out of politics gives Jehovah's Witnesses freeness of speech to approach people of all political persuasions with the important message of the Kingdom.—Hebrews 10:35.
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.
The November 15, 1950, issue of The Watchtower, on pages 445 and 446, said: "Where Caesar makes it compulsory for citizens to vote . . . [Witnesses] can go to the polls and enter the voting booths. It is here that they are called upon to mark the ballot or write in what they stand for. The voters do what they will with their ballots. So here in the presence of God is where his witnesses must act in harmony with his commandments and in accordance with their faith. It is not our responsibility to instruct them what to do with the ballot."
What if a Christian woman's unbelieving husband insists that she present herself to vote? Well, she is subject to her husband, just as Christians are subject to the superior authorities. (Ephesians 5:22; 1 Peter 2:13-17) If she obeys her husband and goes to the polling booth, that is her personal decision. No one should criticize her.—Compare Romans 14:4.
What of a country where voting is not mandated by law but feelings run high against those who do not go to the voting booth—perhaps they are exposed to physical danger? Or what if individuals, while not legally obliged to vote, are severely penalized in some way if they do not go to the polling booth? In these and similar situations, a Christian has to make his own decision. "Each one will carry his own load."—Galatians 6:5.
There may be people who are stumbled when they observe that during an election in their country, some Witnesses of Jehovah go to the polling booth and others do not. They may say, 'Jehovah's Witnesses are not consistent.' People should recognize, though, that in matters of individual conscience such as this, each Christian has to make his own decision before Jehovah God.—Romans 14:12.
Whatever personal decisions Jehovah's Witnesses make in the face of different situations, they take care to preserve their Christian neutrality and freeness of speech. In all things, they rely on Jehovah God to strengthen them, give them wisdom, and help them avoid compromising their faith in any way. Thus they show confidence in the words of the psalmist: "You are my crag and my stronghold; and for the sake of your name you will lead me and conduct me."—Psalm 31:3.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Worship The Only True God (book, 2002) chap. 18 pp. 163-164 "They Are No Part of the World" ***
Christian Neutrals in These Last Days
10 Does the historical record show that any group in these last days has pursued strict neutrality in imitation of the early Christians? Yes, Jehovah's Witnesses have done so. All during this time period, they have kept preaching that God's Kingdom is the only means to bring lasting peace, prosperity, and happiness to lovers of righteousness. (Matthew 24:14) But with regard to controversies among the nations, they have maintained strict neutrality.11 In sharp contrast, the clergy of this world's religions have been very involved in political affairs. In some lands, they have actively campaigned for or against candidates. Some of the clergy even hold political office. Others have pressured politicians to favor programs that the clergy approve. However, Jehovah's Witnesses do not meddle in politics. Nor do they interfere with what others do as to joining a political party, running for political office, or voting in elections. Jesus said that his disciples would be no part of the world, so Jehovah's Witnesses take no part in politics.
12 As Jesus foretold, nations have repeatedly gone to war. Even factions within nations have fought one another. (Matthew 24:3, 6, 7) The religious leaders have almost always supported one nation or faction against another, urging their followers to do the same. The result? Members of the same religion kill one another in battle just because of differences in nationality or tribe. This is contrary to God's will.--1 John 3:10-12; 4:8, 20.
13 However, Jehovah's Witnesses have been strictly neutral in all conflicts. The Watchtower of November 1, 1939, stated: "All who are on the Lord's side will be neutral as to warring nations." Jehovah's Witnesses in all nations and under all circumstances continue to hold to this position. They do not allow the world's divisive politics and wars to break up their international brotherhood. They "beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears." Being neutral, they do not learn war anymore.--Isaiah 2:3, 4; 2 Corinthians 10:3, 4.
Gumby
-
LDH
There is a kingdom ministry from about 5 years ago, I believe.
There was a change to the policy on voting which made it a 'conscience matter'. However when I pointed this out to my father (loyal JDub) he told me that is only there for the countries which the JWs MUST allow members to vote or risk being punished.
This is such JW thinking.
-
jayhawk1
I remember this paragraph...
There may be people who are stumbled when they observe that during an election in their country, some Witnesses of Jehovah go to the polling booth and others do not. They may say, 'Jehovah's Witnesses are not consistent.' People should recognize, though, that in matters of individual conscience such as this, each Christian has to make his own decision before Jehovah God.—Romans 14:12.
I think it is a weak attempt at trying to become more mainstream. In the years prior to this article, the Watchtower made it clear Jehovah's Witnesses do not vote and are to remain completely neutral in all political events. But now it is up to "individual conscience... to make his own decision before Jehovah God."
-
flyphisher
In some countries people are required to go to the polls. JW's go to the polls, but they don't actually vote. That's their conscience matter.
Thousands of brothers and sisters had been persecuted because they didn`t vote in the 70ies, though strong obligation - see MALAWI. All martyrdom was in vain.
-
beezknees
cheers everyone, i will tell him the issues to look up although i'm sure he will attempt to justify this 'new light'