jw's on welfare?

by carla 11 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

• 

  carla

  Are there many jw's on welfare or some state assisted programs? How do they reconcile this with being 'no part of this world' and their abhorrence of government?
• 

  serendipity

  
  Hi Carla,

  I took advantage of unemployment when I was laid off. Employers pay taxes into that fund. I knew an elderly woman who got food from some welfare program. I know of one that was looking into food stamps. I can't think of any others.

  I haven't found a recent article, but here's an older WT article that summarizes my recollection of the WTS position. I just copied selected paragraphs. If you want the whole article, PM me.

  ***

  w83 4/1 pp. 8-9 The Uses and Abuses of Welfare ***

  What, though, when the state has programs for financially assisting its citizens? A Christian can cooperate with this. All Christians are obliged to pay "to him who calls for the tax, the tax; to him who calls for the tribute, the tribute." (Romans 13:7) This would include all the taxes that are earmarked to be used for state benefits.

  By the same token, it is proper to accept any of these benefits to which we are legally entitled because of present circumstances. The apostle Paul said that governments are "God’s minister to you for your good." (Romans 13:4) So any grants, any help in the way of pension plans or medical insurance, even public assistance because of poverty, can all be properly accepted by a Christian who honestly qualifies. However, problems may arise

  The

  Temptations of State Assistance

  For example, in some lands, when a man loses his job, his unemployment compensation can be as high as 80 percent of what he was earning at work. A man receiving such benefits may wonder, What is the point of looking for another job? A Christian may even see advantages in not getting work. He does not have to listen to bad language and can avoid the bad associations that are often a problem in secular work.

  Is such reasoning correct? Not really. First, it overlooks the fact that unemployment assistance is usually paid on the understanding that a man is looking for work. If he is not, then deceit may be involved. Then again, money for such benefits comes from other people’s taxes. In other words, other people are working to support his family. Is this a situation an able-bodied Christian would be happy with?—Matthew 7:12.

  But could not a Christian receiving government assistance instead of having a full-time job engage in more Christian activity? Perhaps so. But what effect could this have on others? Paul associates "work with your hands" with "walking decently as regards people outside." Those who avoid work are not respected. Their bad reputation is likely to counteract any good they accomplish in other ways.—1 Timothy 3:7.
• 

  carla

  Thanks for the info. I'm not suggesting it is wrong to take such assistance just wondering how jw's who usually say that government is of satan could accept 'charity' from satan's org. Unemployment is a different issue because in the US you pay into the system to begin with. Nor do I have a problem with a jw on food stamps when children are involved, again it was just wondering how they accept anything from satan, so to speak.

  I have seen the articles that say governments are evil and articles that say they are 'God's minister for your good...' . Same as usual I suppose, whichever suits them at the moment.
• 

  candidlynuts

  with all the watchtowers billions of dollars , and its status of a charity in most countries, it does not have ONE program to assist its members in need. no food baskets, no monetary assistance, no shelter ..NOTHING.

  its members have to seek out governmental assistance in times of need as well as other charities such as the red cross and even help from other religious charities. locally the catholic church has a medical program (bridges to care) to help the poor be able to see doctors.
• 

  sammielee24

  This was one of the questions I asked about those I know who accept veterans pensions from being in the war. I took it a step further when I met a family who (being very zealous) were home schooling their kids, yet the parent worked in the same school system they removed them from. I asked them if that wasn't just a tad hypocritical..you don't want the kids tainted by worldly kids and their behavior or issues, you have no wish to be part of the world, you in all reality could care less or feel repulsed by your coworkers and the environment - yet you feel free to take that money in payment for a position in a public funded school. Of course I got the response 'we pay taxes too'...doesn't wash for me. swife.
• 

  ex-perfectdaughter

  I do have a problem with pioneers on disability. Most the pioneers in my hall are on some kind of welfare, food stamps, disability etc. To me if you can get in and out of the car all day you can work. There is this one MS who gets disability but he has 10s of thousands of dollars in the bank where he does Ebay and doesn't pay taxes. He puts the Ebay account in his wife's name so it doesn't go against him. Most in my hall are lazy!!!! Just looking for handouts. I agree though unemployment is not the same as welfare!!
• 

  Stealth453

  Although I have been out of jehoga's organized crime for a long long time, I have family that are still in. I know of several singles and couples that are on the full-time welfare system in Ontario. Most of them live better than I do.

  They do this so that they are able to full-time pioneer. I also know of several that use the food banks on a regular basis, rather than work for their daily needs.

  More time to spread the good lies of jehoga's organized crime.
• 

  wozadummy

  Welfare here is good and easier than some countries I guess ,so it probably has resulted in this situation....

  More than once a JW has asked to me in a social environment when meeting me for the first time.."are you an Elder Steve?"

  To which I have asked "Why do you ask?"

  And they invariably reply "Well you've got a bad back!"

  Says something about JW's in this country I think
• 

  Beep,Beep

  If there are so what? These programs are funded by taxes aren't they? Even Paul made use of his Roman citizenship when needed.
• 

  Stealth453

  Welfare, and other social programs are provided, in theory, for those that may have fallen on hard times, and have no other means of support.

  I challenge you, or any other poster, to explain to me just how that applies to jw's that are too lazy to work and preach at the same time.

  The dub's are all too eager to take advantage of government sponsored programs, as long as it fits their distorted ideals, and yet, will vocally defend their perceived right to thumb their collective noses at any government that demands something in return. Like TAXES!!!