by FrightMare 29 Replies latest jw friends
Anyone here know if witnesses are allowed to serve in the military? I know they're not allowed to fight in war, but are they allowed to be chefs for soldiers, for example.
When cornelius became christian, the bible doesn't say that he left his military career.
Furthermore, Matthew 5:41: "if someone in authority impresses you for a mile, go with him two miles."
Any help would be appreciated, thanks.
FrightMare,
Also, the Bible didn't say he remained in the military too.
fredhall, are you a witness?
Yes Fred Is JW.
No the bible doesn't say he remained a soldier, but as he couldn't just hand in his notice, he would have had to desert or simply refuse to carry on his duties. This would have made him a martyr, possibly the first Christian martyr and that would surely have been recorded. So he likely remained in the army.
Today a JW can do alternative military service, but I dont think he can actually be in the army in any capacity.
However the Society hasn't got the balls to stand up and be counted on this. They wont DF anyone for joining the Services, as this would get them in deep water with the authorities and jeopardise their standing as a recognised religion and their charitable status. So rather than say God's law, as we see it,forbids this and so anyone who goes against this is deliberately breaking God's law and should be DF'd they say that the person has disassociated themselves by their actions. Which gets rid of the offender but keeps them out of bother with the Government.
So much for standing up for God's laws, as they see it.
Pubsinger,
You're probably right about the DA bit, since that is also the new stance on blood, as well (I'll need to consult the "book of the law" <g>).
I'm missed the point on Alternative service, though. When did that get re-allowed? I must have blinked at the time.
LT
WTS Deception on Alternative Military Service
Until 1996 the Watchtower Society's official policy was that a young JW man who volunteered for alternative military service, rather than being imprisoned or letting a court sentence him to some kind of alternative civilian service, had violated Christian neutrality and therefore was either to be disfellowshipped or declared to have voluntarily disassociated himself from the JW organization. Beginning in 1978, the Governing Body voted on changing this policy a number of times, and generally had a simple majority who voted for change, but because the GB had a policy that all changes needed a 2/3 majority, and that was never reached until 1996, the policy remained.
AlanF
In 1996, it appears that Jehovah changed his mind, and so via divine direction instructed the Governing Body to change its policy. In the May 1, 1996 Watchtower (pp. 18-20) the Society declared that it was now a matter of conscience if a young man opted for alternative military service, and elders should now respect that conscience by not disfellowshipping or disassociating him.
For the older position see 1991 Yearbook pp. 166-167, 1982 Yearbook pp. 226-227; The Watchtower 9/1/86 p. 20; Awake! 12/8/74 pp. 22-25, 9/22/66 pp. 21-23.
The relevant statements from these references are quoted below:
From the May 1, 1996 Watchtower, pp. 18-20:
dungbeetle...cleaning up the crap.
For all the lurkers...
WT 96 5/1
15 What, though, if the Christian lives in a land where exemption is not granted to ministers of religion? Then he will have to make a personal decision following his Bible-trained conscience. (Galatians 6:5) While taking the authority of Caesar into account, he will weigh carefully what he owes to Jehovah. (Psalm 36:9; 116:12-14; Acts 17:28) The Christian will remember that the mark of a true Christian is love for all his fellow believers, even those who live in other lands or those belonging to other tribes. (John 13:34, 35; 1 Peter 2:17) Further, he will not forget the Scriptural principles found in texts such as Isaiah 2:2-4; Matthew 26:52; Romans 12:18; 14:19; 2 Corinthians 10:4; and Hebrews 12:14.
Civilian Service
16 However, there are lands where the State, while not allowing exemption for ministers of religion, nevertheless acknowledges that some individuals may object to military service. Many of these lands make provision for such conscientious individuals not to be forced into military service. In some places a required civilian service, such as useful work in the community, is regarded as nonmilitary national service. Could a dedicated Christian undertake such service? Here again, a dedicated, baptized Christian would have to make his own decision on the basis of his Bible-trained conscience.
17 It seems that compulsory service was practiced in Bible times. One history book states: "In addition to the taxes and dues exacted from the inhabitants of Judea, there was also a corvée [unpaid labor exacted by public authorities]. This was an ancient institution in the East, which the Hellenistic and Roman authorities continued to maintain. . . . The New Testament, too, cites examples of corvée in Judea, showing how widespread it was. In accordance with this custom, the soldiers pressed Simon of Cyrene into carrying Jesus' cross [torture stake] (Matthew 5:41; 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26)."
18 Similarly, citizens in some countries today are required by the State or by local authorities to participate in various forms of community service. Sometimes this is for a specific task, such as digging wells or building roads; sometimes it is on a regular basis, such as weekly participation in cleaning up roads, schools, or hospitals. Where such civilian service is for the good of the community and is not connected with false religion or is not in some other way objectionable to the consciences of Jehovah's Witnesses, they have often complied. (1 Peter 2:13-15) This has usually resulted in an excellent witness and has sometimes silenced those who falsely accuse the Witnesses of being antigovernment.-Compare Matthew 10:18.
19 What, though, if the State requires a Christian for a period of time to perform civilian service that is a part of national service under a civilian administration? Here again, Christians must make their own decision based on an informed conscience. "We shall all stand before the judgment seat of God." (Romans 14:10) Christians faced with a requirement of Caesar should prayerfully study the matter and meditate on it. It may also be wise to talk the matter over with mature Christians in the congregation. After this a personal decision must be made.-Proverbs 2:1-5; Philippians 4:5.
20 While engaged in such research, Christians would consider a number of Bible principles. Paul said that we must "be obedient to governments and authorities as rulers, . . . be ready for every good work . . . be reasonable, exhibiting all mildness toward all men." (Titus 3:1, 2) At the same time, Christians would do well to examine the proposed civilian work. If they accept it, will they be able to maintain Christian neutrality? (Micah 4:3, 5; John 17:16) Would it involve them with some false religion? (Revelation 18:4, 20, 21) Would performing it prevent or unreasonably limit them from fulfilling their Christian responsibilities? (Matthew 24:14; Hebrews 10:24, 25) On the other hand, would they be able to continue to make spiritual progress, perhaps even sharing in the full-time ministry while performing the required service?-Hebrews 6:11, 12.
21 What if the Christian's honest answers to such questions lead him to conclude that the national civilian service is a "good work" that he can perform in obedience to the authorities? That is his decision before Jehovah. Appointed elders and others should fully respect the conscience of the brother and continue to regard him as a Christian in good standing. If, however, a Christian feels that he cannot perform this civilian service, his position should also be respected. He too remains in good standing and should receive loving support.-1 Corinthians 10:29; 2 Corinthians 1:24; 1 Peter 3:16.
22 As Christians we will not cease to render "to him who calls for honor, such honor." (Romans 13:7) We will respect good order and seek to be peaceful, law-abiding citizens. (Psalm 34:14) We may even pray "concerning kings and all those who are in high station" when these men are called upon to make decisions that affect our Christian life and work. As a result of our paying back Caesar's things to Caesar, we hope that "we may go on leading a calm and quiet life with full godly devotion and seriousness." (1 Timothy 2:1, 2) Above all, we will continue to preach the good news of the Kingdom as mankind's only hope, conscientiously paying back God's things to God.
dungbeetle...cleaning up the crap.
Hi Littletoe.
I notice you are a Brit.
Feel free to e-mail and say hi.
Most of us Brits here, and there's not that many of us , let each other know where we are etc.
I'm in Halifax, W. Yorks.
Post if you don't want to e-mail.
Pub.
Hi Pubsinger (nice nik, by the way <g>),
I'm up in Scotland, but I can't be more specific than that yet because I'm still active.
I've yet to get around to posting my testimony, but I have been in contact with Randy by email.
I probably will email you, if you don't mind. It would be nice to talk to a Brit, as I find my feet.
LT
Fredhall, That's true Fred. But the Bible is VERY prescriptive on lots of issues, headcovering, cogregation management, baptism, etc. (NOT discussing interpretation here) and if it was wrong to remain in the military, wouldn't it have said so? Who are you without the organisation Fred?
