The Watchtower justification for now allowing CIVILIAN SERVICE.

by jwfacts 25 Replies latest watchtower scandals

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  jwfacts

  After tens of thousands of young Witness men in the prime of their lives have spent years in jails for refusing civilian service in 1996 the Watchtower decided such a choice was not unchristian and a matter of choice.

  Watchtower 1996 May 1 p.20
  “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? … That is his decision before Jehovah.”

  When I found that out I was pretty upset at the needless injustice that the Watchtower once again imposed on its members. However I just read something for the first time that makes my blood boil. How does the Watchtower justify such needless suffering? Rather than apologize they claim it was Jehovah that allowed it.

  Watchtower 1998 August 15 p.17
  “Feelings of Having Suffered Needlessly
  In the past, some Witnesses have suffered for refusing to share in an activity that their conscience now might permit. For example, this might have been their choice years ago as to certain types of civilian service. A brother might now feel that he could conscientiously perform such without overstepping his Christian neutrality regarding the present system of things.
  Was it unrighteous on Jehovah’s part to allow him to suffer for rejecting what he now might do without consequences? Most who have had that experience would not think so. Rather, they rejoice that they had the opportunity of demonstrating publicly and clearly that they were determined to be firm on the issue of universal sovereignty.”

  How do the people that write these articles lie straight at night???
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  Spirit Axal

  No idea, but what what I do know is, Lies are forming all over the globe and getting worse. I sure hate where im at right now, its all grey in here i thought it would be White... /shrug
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  SirNose586

  Most who have had that experience would not think so. Rather, they rejoice that they had the opportunity of demonstrating publicly and clearly that they were determined to be firm on the issue of universal sovereignty.”

  Unbelievable. Of course, if you ask the brother how he felt to get locked up, he isn't going to tell you that he hates the WTS now. Oh no, this brother is going to be all smiles.

  Either they feel betrayed in their heart of hearts, or they are so brainwashed that the "New Light" of civilian service just becomes something else to accept without question.
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  prophecor

  I would, at the very least have much more respect for the Borg. if only they would, once say, " We were wrong".
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  deeskis

  Most who have had that experience would not think so. Rather, they rejoice that they had the opportunity of demonstrating publicly and clearly that they were determined to be firm on the issue of universal sovereignty.”

  I talked about this with my dad,not long ago. He spent six months in prison over conscription in his early 20's. He said that he still felt proudthat he stood up for his faith and that it is still a matter of conscience.
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  GermanXJW

  I agree but you should change the thread title. This is not about military service.
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  Jeffro

  In the past, some Witnesses have suffered for refusing to share in an activity that their conscience now might permit.

  Of course when they say "their conscience now might permit", what it really means is that the GB has decided that something is now a 'conscience matter™', and that members have been given the esteemed privilege of making up their own mind on a particular matter instead of having it dictated to them whether it is allowable.
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  jwfacts

  The GB have good advisor these days. All the areas that become troubling for them are now being made conscience matters. That way they can still give to same false arguements, then point the finger at the followers whose conscience now allows them to make these choices. Blood is the other area in which the same has happened.
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  greendawn

  They never explain why their jehovah did not give them the right light from the beginning so that many dubs had to suffer, unnecessarily as it turns out, on the alternative service issue but above all on the blood issue. Will they say "oh but it was jehovah's will that the brothers should suffer so as to be tested"?
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  blondie

  I was a teenager during the Vietnam era and knew many JWs that faced the draft issue. It was clear though that if a Witness CHOSE alternative service that they would be df'd but IF they were sentenced to alternative service rather than prison, they could accept that. I can remember several witnesses being sentenced to working in the local hospitals. These brothers attended the local congregation I was in. There was some murmuring going on wondering how they could be working in a hospital when other local witnesses were in prison. A talk was finally given and it was explained that these men had been sentenced to this hospital work but had not requested it.........................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  Yes, witnesses could "choose" alternative service but be considered da'd because of it.

  Is the current WTS doctrine different from what is below?

  *** w96 5/1 p. 19 Paying Back Caesar’s Things to Caesar ***

  Civilian Service

  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...

  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.

  *** g74 12/8 p. 23 The Netherlands Frees Imprisoned Witnesses ***

  Authorities

  BegintoListen

  On March 26, 1971, three representatives of Jehovah’s witnesses met with a forum representing the ministries of Defense and Justice. The discussion lasted two and a half hours.

  One of the first points of discussion presented by the forum was this: "That you wish no part in performing military service is clear and needs no further explanation. But what really is your objection to civil, alternative service?"

  The Witnesses explained that it is not that they are opposed to civil service as such, but, rather, it is a matter of strict neutrality. Therefore, any work that is merely a substitute for military service would be unacceptable to Jehovah’s witnesses.

  Other questions narrowed the issue down still further. "When a person objects to military service," the government’s agents declared, "he passes from military jurisdiction on to civil jurisdiction and from that moment has nothing at all to do with the military. Why, then, is the accepting of such civil service still so objectionable?"

  Willingly accepting such work is objectionable to the Christian because of what God’s law says about the matter: "You were bought with a price; stop becoming slaves of men." (1 Cor. 7:23) Civilian servitude as a substitute for military service would be just as objectionable to the Christian. In effect, he would thereby become a part of the world (a da'ing offense) instead of keeping separate as Jesus commanded.—John 15:19; 17:14-16.

  Blondie