Should Christians be involved in politics? (page 3)

garybuss

You wrote: "they do not get involved in politics"

The claim is a denial rather than a statement of fact. When a Witness says the organization and the people don't get involved in "politics", what does that mean? Does it mean the Witnesses don't participate in government? Does it mean the Witnesses don't work for any governments? Does it mean the Witnesses don't support governments? What does it mean?

They say they don't vote, salute a flag, or run for elected office. So are voting, saluting, and running the only ways to participate in the political process? Politics is defined as the art or science of governing.

Isn't this political claim more than a little like the blood medical treatment claim?

M.J.

The witnesses conception of "politics" comes from a totally western-democratic viewpoint which is foreign to anything addressed by scripture.

choosing life

The Jewish government was a theocracy. So everyone participated to a certain extent, as it was also the only religion/government. In the 1st century, the Jews were under the control of the Romans. So, obviously, they were not involved in that goverenment.

That does not exclude being involved in modern day governments. Garybus is correct when he says it is much like the fiasco they have created with the blood issue. The Witnesses are very much involved in government by trying to change the laws. They certainly don't lack for a legal department now do they?

And as someone pointed out, it is not evil to work together to provide good schools, roads, hospitals, etc.

theMartian

The TRUE answer to your question is determined by what God's kingdom REALLY is...an if you BELIEVE it or not! Daniel 2- especially verse 44, shows it is not simply a membership in heaven that's in our warped little hearts! YOUR thought?

OnTheWayOut

Garybuss makes a good point. The WTS got involved with the United Nations, and tried to
appear like a normal religion in print when discussing UN goals- this means they advocated and
promoted many political agendas. They became a friend of the court in the Jimmy Swaggart
hearings on paying taxes for religious sales. They went to court over and over again to
try to change the law.

The stand that the WTS demands of it's followers is just another bizarre teaching to make them
stand out as different and control members- just like the cross vs. the stake, Kingdom Hall vs. Church,
the military, the flag salute or pledge, the YMCA avoidance, Mother's Day and other holidays.

M.J.

c'mon, I was hoping for a decent point-by-point attempt at refutation from an apologist here.

M.J.

OTWO, here's another example:

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/121476/1.ashx

jwfacts

Martian,

God's kingdom will in the future put an end to all other kingdoms, but until then we are part of those kingdoms whether we like it or not.

Politics is defined as "the process by which groups of people make decisions." "A government is the body that has the power to make and authority to enforce laws, rules, and policies. Governments exist in all institutions that have laws, rules, or politics."

The Watchtower Society distorts this definition when saying voting is involvement in politics, yet petitioning the government, going to court, sending NGO's to committee meetings etc. is not involvement in politics.

LongHairGal

I always thought their stance against politics was ridiculous considering we are all taxpayers. As a taxpayer, I have an interest in what is happening. Not to vote meant to throw it all away.

As far as I am concerned, the reason they have such lack of regard is because they are not really taxpayers. Sad to say, some in the congregations have this detached attitude as well. Guess what, many of these people don't work but are receiving a benefit of some sort. So they have no more interest in what is going on than your average five year old.

LHG

Should Christians be involved in politics?

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