by outofthebox 23 Replies latest jw friends
Hey,
As some of you know I am en elder. I don't believe, but for the sake of my family I still go to the meetings. Aaaanyway. I am going to cast my vote for the very first time!!! What are the odds they shun me if the found about it?
Out of the Box :)
Shun? I'm thinking it would be more like an "automatic" DA.
outofthebox:
What are the odds they shun me if the found about it?
Odds are you would be disfellowshipped for participating in a "non-neutral activity."
Be aware that voter registration is a matter of public record. Not who you voted for, just that a) you are registered and b) when the last time you voted. I know in my county it is available online. The only time this information is obscured is in cases of domestic violence, etc. I looked up all the elders locally to see if there were any...none that I could find.
however, good for you on voting. I just voted for the first time.
Snakes ()
JWs can register to vote and not receive any negative consequences. Examples: In my State, all Notary Publics and Auctioneers must be 'Registered Voters'. I know JWs that are registered to vote, because their jobs require it. They don't vote, however.
I don't know what the odds are, but thank you for caring enough to vote! Please cast your vote....everyone deserves a voice in this country.
The WBTS casts their vote all the time within their ranks and within the political world when religion is under fire as we all know.
I don't know why you would be shunned unless you felt the need to talk about it to fellow JW's.
Talk to us and enjoy voting. No one will expose you here!
r.
Chance of DF? 99.99999%!
Nice to hear from you Outofthebox. Have you seen anything of the rumoured "secret letter" to the BOE's?? The one about further changes?
lwt..
I think I specified that in my county the public record shows not only registration (a MOC by the Borg) but also IF YOU VOTED in an election.... that is what would cause hot water..
not that I give a $hit anymore
Snakes ()
Here is an article featuring two former fellow elder friends of mine. It appeared in the local paper just a short time after my "awakening."
No potentially deciding votes among Jehovah's Witnesses Election 2004 FLINT TOWNSHIP
THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION
Saturday, October 30, 2004
By George Jaksa
[email protected] • 810.766.6332
FLINT TWP. - Ever wish, as you listen to the candidates' latest attacks and appeals, you could just ignore the fever-pitch final days of this knock-down presidential campaign? Or in good conscience treat Election Day like any ordinary Tuesday?
Jehovah's Witnesses do exactly that.
At a time when it seems all of the country is wrapped up in the Bush-Kerry race for the White House, this one small sect of Americans remains above the fray, going about their lives as normally as they can.
To put it plainly: They don't vote. Period.
"We don't get caught up in all the politics," said Jeff Ragan, presiding overseer of the West Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, 1187 S. Dye Road. "The only thing we do is remain neutral, and that's no secret to people who know us."
Ragan estimated there are about 1,000 Jehovah's Witnesses in Genesee County, worshipping in 12 congregations - part of 930,000 congregations worldwide. Ragan has presided over seven elders at his congregation since 1997.
It's not that the Christian denomination is oblivious to all the political hoopla, said Ragan, 49, of Flint Township.
"We watch TV, listen to the radio and read newspapers like other people," he said, "but to us, our king is our Lord Jesus.
"We appreciate and respect the position of government, but we realize they are just men" added Ragan, who works as a home mortgage loan officer for Flagstar Bank. "We believe in Christ, and we support his kingdom."
That's the Witnesses' stance worldwide, according to Ragan. They take their cue from, among other things, Jesus' words in the gospel of John (chapter 17, verse 14) when he said, "They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world."
Another Jehovah's Witness, Anthony Bryant, 44, of Flint, said Witnesses are not prohibited from participating in nonpartisan elections, including school district millage votes, but most stay away anyhow. Most don't even register to vote, he said.
"It's their decision to make," said Bryant, an appliance technician, "but if it is their decision to remain neutral, there is no reason to register to vote."
He said Jehovah Witnesses also are able to withstand all the hoopla of political campaigns.
"Witnesses respect and cooperate with authorities, so it's not a matter of being irritated or affected by what's going on in politics," Bryant said.
By contrast, Chico Jabero, 48, an east-side Flint businessman, treasures his right to vote. Jabero, a Chaldean, emigrated from Iraq 30 years ago.
"Everybody should vote, because we can show our values by voting," he said. "Everybody should hear our voice."
Jehovah's Witnesses, though, say if they were to help elect a leader, they would be responsible for his or her subsequent actions.
"The subject of politics just does not come up at our meetings, because of our beliefs," Ragan said.
Witnesses also distance themselves from worldly matters by rejecting military service and not recognizing holidays or birthdays.
So, what would happen if a Witness were to weigh in Tuesday by casting a ballot?
Ragan said the congregation would make efforts to return such a person to good standing in the church - but also held out the prospect of complete shunning, or "disfellowshiping."
"We make every effort scripturally to readjust that person before further steps are taken," said Ragan, who added that he hasn't heard of such a case during his 24 years as a Witness.
He said he knows of no other group that shares the stance of Jehovah's Witnesses on politics.
I find it humorous how Bryant says JWs are not prohibited from voting, "it's their decision," etc., but Ragan "held out the prospect of complete shunning." LOL! Which is it, boys?
Snakes,
Gotcha. Thanks.
-LWT
Here is the official position. About as clear as mud, eh?
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, TheNewEnglishBible.) 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 TheWatchtower, 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.
They make it a matter of conscience, then tell you what your conscience should tell you. With this as ammunition, I would think that most Jw's could make a case for choosing to enter the booth. You are under no obligation to tell anyone else what you did inside the booth. That is what they said.
Of course the reality is harder. But most Jw's would have no idea. I never saw one anywhere close to a polling place during election day.
Congrats on the first vote. I voted in the primary, but this will be my first General Election.
Jeff
