In some areas in the US, the city clerk maintains a list of registered voters.
Being registered to vote is not proof one has voted.
Another doozie from DO Brown Payne about "many JW's compromising their neutrality" and voting for Obama
by oppostate 41 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
-
-
NewChapter
WHAT? The Dubs are voting for Obama! That's out of control! LOL
I know dubs that registered to vote because their jobs as notaries required it. It's not the same as voting though---however
It is my understanding that voting on ISSUES that directly affect you is a conscience matter. School levies would be an example, since it is a community's decision as to what they will do with tax money, for that community specifically. In fact, there was a pretty heated debate in a town near mine a few years ago, and the kids had lost school bus service etc, and the city said a levy had to pass to reinstate it. Kids within one mile of the school could not have service, but my friend had to drop her children off at another home before work, which did have school bus service because it was far from the school, but her children were denied access to the bus that was stopping because of where they lived. So she did research and talked to the elders and was pretty open that she was considering voting. I don't think she did in the end, but she talked a lot about it. She had to work, and the kids had to go to a sitter, and nobody told her she was out of line, and the elders were well aware.
-
NewChapter
But then-------our juries are drawn from the pool of registered voters, and I know most dubs don't want to serve on juries, so just registering is problematic for them. I know 2 that were called for jury duty because they registered for other reasons. They pretty much told the judge about the 2 witness rule, and while they were not excused, they were not called to serve and had to sit at the courthouse for 3 days anyway. (I think it was 3 days)
-
grumblecakes
are u in the US NC? i was a notary for quite a while but never a registered voter? maybe different states have different requirements.
so as a jw its ik to register, just not actually vote?
-
NewChapter
Grumble--I am in the US... I think it probably is a state issue---UNLESS---they LIED and were just voting. LOL But they were notaries. I should look into that. I think it's like registering for the draft---registering is okay, but serving is not.
-
LostGeneration
This is the last major article on voting that I am aware of. I just read through it twice, and it is the usual mess of double speak that you will find when the WT wants to talk out of both sides of their mouth.
11/1/99 WT
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, The New English Bible.) 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 The Watchtower, 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.
-
NewChapter
I just checked it out---it's actually by county. I found at least one county that does require the notary public be registered to vote. Perhaps it's an easy way to establish residency requirements rather than do the work themselves? Not sure.
-
Honeybucket
I wouldnt doubt this. I decided I was voting this year; not to put my faith upon earthly man to save my soul but because I dont want the next 4 years to be shitty. It seems to me that a majority of witnesses in my area are low income, dependant on the income of the government and charities. 1st, witnesses dont support charities and 2nd what happens if the government wont give witnesses an income because they arent a part of this system. Where will the donations come from? Do you think that the societys stance will change, allowing military service, voting and volunteering? GB really likes to bite the hand that feeds them.
-
grumblecakes
NC-yeah that seems plausible. thanks for the info.
would be nice to vote. i may do it.
-
NewChapter
It feels great, Grumble. I highly recommend it. I'm going to vote early this week.