JW and voting in index?

mindfield

While checking out a questions from readers which was supposed to contain radically different viewpoints on voting in the 1999 index, i got an unpleasant surprise... it's not there!!! in the summary of the watchtower, a questions from readers is mentioned, but the article itself is nowhere to be found! i must note however, this was a french index... is it the same with the english ones? and could someone tell me where to find that article in question? thx.

betweenworlds

wow fed up!!!

you and I must have been writing our letters at the same exact moment Hope some nice person out there can help us!

BW

"The important thing is to not stop questioning" Albert Einstein

mindfield

noticed that too!!! im trying to find info on that cause none of my JW family knows about it... guess it was a small article!!! U?

blondie

try 2000 or 2001; my bet is 2000.

betweenworlds

I just got done telling my husband there had been a change in the WT view towards voting, and he was totally unaware of it! So I told him I would see if I could find the article for him. Amazing.

(Having a John Edward, Miss Cleo moment) LOL

"The important thing is to not stop questioning" Albert Einstein

AMNESIAN

*** w99 11/1 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.

-----------------

-AMNESIAN

mindfield

thanks, blondie, but could you be more specific?

betweenworlds

{{{{AMNESIAN}}}}}

Thanks!

BW

"The important thing is to not stop questioning" Albert Einstein

mindfield

whoah (keanu reeves moment) thanks man!!!
that's service!!!

blondie

I think Amnesian found it...it was a QFR.

As I understand it, the WTS or any of their representatives, DO, CO, elders, etc., cannot dictate to any member of the congregation that they cannot vote...it must be an individual choice (in theory), just as joining the military and taking a blood transfusion. It must appear to the world that it is your personal choice.

In the past, I was told that I could vote in school by putting "God's Kingdom" or "Jesus Christ" on the ballot. So I was obeying the school's authority but not compromising neutrality.

In order to be recognized in many countries today, the WTS has had to convince the governments that the individual members of the JW religion were not being controlled by those in charge.

Many JWs hardly read their magazines these days, let alone a QFR in the back of the article. Many don't read the study articles even...hearing the information for the first time when it is read at the congregational WT study. That's why that sensitive information was discussed there. Hoping I'm sure no one read it.

JW and voting in index?

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