Any other established religions take neutrality stand in 1914?

irondork

The Bible Students' non-participation in WW I is one of the key reasons why Jesus selected the WTS as the organization through whom God would save the world, according to myth. Were there other religious groups or organized groups of any kind reported on from that era that refused military service?

Jeffro

The Bible Students' non-participation in WW I is one of the key reasons why Jesus selected the WTS as the organization through whom God would save the world, according to myth. Were there other religious groups or organized groups of any kind reported on from that era that refused military service?

The question is essentially meaningless because it is based on a false premise.

You may as well be asking whether Snow White knew any other dwarves.

irondork

Did Snow White know any other dwarves? And while we're on the subject, w ere there other religious groups or organized groups of any kind reported on from that era that refused military service?

The Searcher

Snow White did know two other dwarves - Elf and Safety!! :)

dozy

The Quakers were a much better example - if the criteria was that Jesus came to his throne in 1918/1919 & chose the most neutral church , then I guess he would have chosen the Quakers , Seventh Day Adventists or another similar group.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conscientious_objectors

The Bible Students weren't neutral in 1914 and many did participate in the war. Russell's viewpoint kind of evolved over time - initially he saw it as a Christian's duty to fight ( albeit to try not to shoot anyone - preferably to be in non combatant roles such as medical ) but gradually during the war he changed his view.

eg August WT 1898 Question. I was surprised to note your advice to any who might be drafted into the army. Would not your advice seem like compromising to avoid trouble?
Answer. It is proper to avoid trouble in a proper manner. It is proper to compromise when no principle is involved, as in the case mentioned. Notice that there is no command in the Scriptures against military service. Obedience to a draft would remind us of our Lord's words, "If any man compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain." The government may compel marching or drilling, but cannot compel you to kill the foe. You need not be a good marksman.

Room 215

Dozy, great find! Thanks

notjustyet

Be careful that you are not falling for the old "confirmation bias" scenario where a person looks for "reasons" to shore up their current beleifs. It makes them "feel good" when they see or read something that "goes along" with what they believe. It gives them the "Yes! I made a good decision, I AM smart!" feeling.

If you like to "believe" things based on "how it makes you feel" rather than "if there's evidence" then please continue "actively searching" for reasons that the WTBTS MUST be god chosen religion. But if you want to see the other side as to why the WTBTS was not chosen by JC and GOD in 1918-1919 then read Don Camerons book entitled "Captives of a Concept"

Gloria Steinham once said "The truth will set you free, but first it's gonna piss you off!"

This will apply here also.

NJY

irondork

At Dozy: Perfect. That was exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!

At Notjustyet: Good advise, but I think you misunderstood me. I sometimes assume everyone here knows where I'm coming from. I did tag my "Jesus selected the WTS" comment with "according to myth." I suppose I could have been more clear. Sorry.

irondork

With all the other "right food" at the "right time" turning out to be the "wrong food" at the "wrong time" (I really like the way Cameron breaks it down in his book), the only thing I thought the WTS could fall back on was it's neutrality in the war. That was, at least, something the WTS could point to that set it apart from other religions.

I did'nt know the point Dozy brought up about the unclear or partial or wavering neutrality policy back then. That sheds a whole new light on the matter. Not only were they not REEEALLY neutral, they were by no means alone even in entertaining the concept of neutrality.

Phizzy

The Christadelphians had been truly neutral since the U.S Civil War. in fact shortly after, they got the law changed to favour (allow) Conscientious Objectors, the Bible Students were far from neutral, Rutherford was urging them in the Consolation magazine to buy War Bonds at the tail end of WW1 ! and even in WW2 the JW's were able, with approval from the WT, to take "alternative service", i.e working on the land, thus aiding the war effort, and therefore this for true objectors was not neutral enough.

I cannot see any reason why Jesus would choose them at any time in History over far more worthy and honest Christian groups.

Jesus said He was "The Truth", the JW's and their earlier incarnations under other names from Russell onward have never had, or told , the truth.

Any other established religions take neutrality stand in 1914?

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