How many of you 'understand' american politics and vote? (this could be a key issue on getting WT looked at more closely)

by EndofMysteries 15 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  Band on the Run

  Religions can be prosecuted for breaking universally applicable laws that show no discriminatory intent. I suggest that a strong fact pattern existed.

  Also, many short personal letters to legislators are more effective than petitions. A personal letter is impressive. It shows that the voter cared enough to take the time to write it.

  I used to get nice replies to my letters. Now I write about foreign policy and the legislator thanks me for my letter about the Interior. I wonder if more Americans are corresponding their views to cause the quality to go down.
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  Quendi

  Long before I became a Witness I was politically aware and never lost my interest in both domestic and foreign affairs. That made me an anomaly among Witnesses but came in very handy in the canvassing work because I could competently discuss the leading questions of the day. Still, it took me time to become active politically after leaving the cult. I finally registered as a voter (non-affiliated as independents are called in Colorado) and voted in my first election last year. I'll be doing the same this year and am really looking forward to it. I was always queasy with the WTS position that individuals couldn't participate in the political process, but the Society could (via lawsuits and other actions) when it felt its interests were involved. Just another example of their hypocrisy, I suppose. Anyway, I'm very happy to be exercising this right of citizenship.

  Quendi
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  Band on the Run

  Oh, this is my area of professional interest. I majored in Political Science and graduated with Distinction in Poli Sci.Because the Viet Nam War was taking place, we studied primarily to learn how to end the war. The college advisor decided I should go to law school so I worked for a housing rehab, the city jails, and the NJCLU. These were work study jobs. My law school was impressed with my work history. I also demonstrated a commitment to civil rights. The law school gave me a full merit scholarship in public interest law. I developed expertise in antitrust and const'; law. After some time in the Senate. I decided to embrace large law.

  I volunteer in major political campaigns. One of my interests is voter integrity.

  I try to involve people in campaigns who have not volunteered in the past. We have an abundance of lawyers. So many other fields could do a superb job.

  My interests in high school led me to politics. If I had to do it over again, I would try to be a diplomat or CIA analyst.

  If anyone is interested, politico.com is a great website.
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  GLTirebiter

  No Congressperson or Senator can introduce legislation inconsistent with the First Amendment's freedom of religion or the Establishment Clause.

  They certainly can "introduce" such legislation, but it is more likely to become a rhetorical statement than the law of the land. Getting such legislation out of committee, and through floor debate and attempted ammendments, and passed by both chambers, and signed into law, and upheld by the courts, and not having it repealed in a later session of Congress is another matter.

  The US Constitution provides many opportunities for the government to correct its own foolishness. If that fails, we have regular elections to replace the fools responsible. Thank God (and Publius) for such safeguards!
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  Finkelstein

  But do religions have the right to disregard ones own personal personal freedom of religious choice and not to be persecuted, prejudiced and hated

  from their personal choice ?

  Some religious organizations like the JWS institute a shunning policy on any of its once devote members who wishes to leave and join another religion

  by their own individual choice, publicly announcing that person is to considered dead and not worthy to be spoken to.

  Or if that person chooses to leave a religion, out of simple non-belief.

  .

  Most religions upon hearing that your departing will just say Well we're sorry to see you leave and hope in some time you'll reconsider this decision

  and there are religious organizations that upon hearing of your leaving will instigate a shunning policy placed over that individual by the organization itself or congregation,

  even to enforce a blocking out of a relationship with that person's immediate family members.

  This to me is unconstitutional toward an individuals rights and freedoms.

  Religions shouldn't have the unregulated power to incite hatred and prejudice upon a person's individual freedom of choice.

  .

  I would also like to point out that the shunning policy by the JW organization has caused a lot of disappear onto those who were effected, particularly within

  families, even as far as to provoke suicide for some.
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  Band on the Run

  Tom Daschle, the former Democratic majority leader, talked about his health care plan. It struck me as odd b/c he was named Health Care Czar and Secretary of Health and Human Services. He accepted gifts and did not report the income. A woman lost her position for the same offense. So he went inhouse at a law firm to explain govt to wealthy corporations. His first statement was that a single payer system was off the table. He explained that the GOP would never allow it. You should be aware of the weakness of your position. I can't think of a single Senator or Congressperson who would support antiWT legislation. This is the reality. People here don't realize how draining litigation can be. The first thing you need is tons of money. There is no existing organization that will take on the Witnesses. There is more than one way to skin a cat.

  Compared to many religions, the WT is a good deal. It all seems to come down to shunning. Yet shunning has a long history of religious belief. I always wonder why Witnesses don't wonder if they will be shunned. Kosing my extended family was a constant stress. I realize I faced little compared to most people here. Other former Witnesses/Amish/whatever must have brought a const'l issue. Shunning remains in place.