Should Christians be involved in politics?

by jwfacts 28 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  jwfacts

  Religions that say they are the sole true path to salvation need to concentrate on their unique points to prove they alone are acceptable to God. For this reason JWs seem to use the point that they do not get involved in politics as proof that they are special.

  In the Old Testament there are a number of examples of followers of Jehovah being involved in politics, so obviously it can't be that bad. What about the New Testament? Is there anything to show that voting or political involvement is wrong?
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  jwfacts

  Ideas anyone? I need a response for a JW friend.
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  Narkissos

  Hello jwfacts,

  Our definitions of "politics" mostly belong to a modern, democratic setting. The NT texts were written under the Roman empire, mostly by non Roman citizens, to whom little or no "political involvement" (by our standards) was available or even thinkable. Asking the NT whether or how we should be involved in 21st-century politics is about as relevant as looking for NT guidelines to the use of modern technology.

  That being said, I believe that the NT texts do express opinions on the contemporary political system which range from the slavishly pro-Roman (Paul and Acts, for instance) to the fiercely anti-Roman (Revelation). In the former, the mentions of Roman officers who had both military and "political" functions (e.g. Cornelius) contain no hint of condemnation imo.
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  M.J.

  Great to see you Narkissos!
  
  I've asked the same question to dubs and they didn't come up with an answer.
  One of them said that it's the political process that was bad.
  
  So I guess that participation in a authoritarian monarchy is just fine, while having anything to do with the democratic process is an offense to Jehovah.
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  jwfacts

  Thanks, excellent thoughts. There is a difference between the available involvement in monarchies, dictatorships and democracy. Voting is no more political imo than going to the high court and setting a precendent for a new law. It is beneficial to have a group of people that can sway laws by voting a certain way.

  I have never understood the current JW stand as to quite what is supposed to be wrong, and how the line is drawn. A JW can work for the government, they can use the legal system to create laws, they petition the government and send representatives to enquiries etc. (Some examples are at http://www.jwfacts.com/index_files/politics.htm) So I am not sure quite what is wrong and why. It seems to just be voting, standing as a politician or campaigning for a politician. On what basis is this wrong and the only thing wrong?
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  M.J.

  I saved something Narkissos posted a while back. The topic was the WTS's involvement in CESNUR I think. I Hope Nark doesn't mind if I quote it here:
  
  
  
  
  
  After all, they hardly think of Bible characters such as Joseph, Mordecai or the kings of Israel as "politicians," do they?
  
  In representative democracy there are several ways to influence the legislative process. One is institutional (the election of representatives with a specific, although not mandatory, program). The other is lobbying, which may imply both working on public opinion (especially through the media) and secretly pressuring the decision-makers, unbeknownst to the mass of the voters and taxpayers. The latter is the least "democratic" and, interestingly, the least objectionable to the Watchtower.
  
  The very fact that the WT representatives keep this kind of action secret and duck away as soon as it is revealed is telling. Realpolitik is to be screened away from the candid average publisher who really believes that the entire political system and religious organisations are Satan's realm, and that Jehovah will defend his people provided they stay clean from this world.
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  choosing life

  Many of God's favored ones, in both the new and old testaments, held military and political offices. So the watchtower doesn't really have a leg to stand on when it comes to holding political office or voting. Even working to persuade politicians to vote on bills that would improve the quality of life for people, is an honorable cause.

  They like to say Jesus was not political, but I think if you asked the people back then, they might offer a different view. He very much comented on political issues of his day and was put to death for what they considered sedition.
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  Gordy

  If Christians aren't or don't get involved in politics.

  Think of the people who would be!
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  deborahs_song

  Jesus said nothing about being involved in the politics of his day other than to give to Caesar what belonged to him and that was in reference to the tax due the government. If Christians who follow the Christ become involved in the politics of the day doesn't that mean they are putting their trust more in man's government than in God's?

  The Jews of Jesus day used the government for their own purposes, as many fundamentalists also do today. Jesus on the other hand really had nothing to do with the authorities of his day except to pay his tax until of course he was brought before Pilate.

  Deborah
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  SWALKER

  I feel that as a Christian you should be involved in what is going on in the world and trying to make it a better place to live. I've had enough of isolating oneself and NOT getting involved, regrettably, to last a lifetime! I wouldn't want to force my views on anyone and feel it should be a personal choice.

  Swalker