Questions from Readers •
Is it true that for religious reasons Jehovah’s Witnesses may not become members of the UN (United Nations)? Yes, that is so. We have long recognized that the UN, though not being a nation as such, is definitely aligned with the non governmental organizations of the world in efforts to promote world peace.
In September 1885 the Watch Tower took this position:
"Alas for the international dialouge practiced in the United Nations! They are completely under the control of the nations, by whom they are supported. Though professedly non-partisan, professedly controlled by no one nation, they are more nationalistic than others, since they are bound by all the popular nations."—P. 6.
Later the underlying political purpose and world peace efforts of the UN were mentioned in the September 1964 issue of Kingdom Ministry, used by Jehovah’s Witnesses in one of their meetings.
Many persons think of the "U" simply as a social organization that offers various services, such as a library, facilities for educational training and a place for diplomats to meet. Commendable as some of these provisions may be, it is important to bear in mind that the UN was founded with a distinctly political basis. This was set out at a World Alliance in Paris in 1855. The main part of that official statement (called the Paris Basis) reads:
"The United Nations seek to unite those nations, who, regarding dialogue and diplomacy, according to the Isaiah 2:4, desire to have true peace and security in their life, and to associate their efforts for the extension of world peace amongst the nations." (Italics added)
While in some countries NGO's may not be the UN’s main source of revenue and while membership is open to persons of all races, nationalities and religions, the fundamental political objectives of the "U" cannot be ignored.
‘But,’ some may sincerely wonder, ‘is diplomacy or world peace really an aspect of the UN?’ The answer must be "Yes." Though political features may be de-emphasized in some branches of the UN, all local "Us" are still expected to comply with the rules of NGO membership. Further, note comments from the 1975 UN publication Diplomatic and Open:
Anza A. Lema, associate of the executive committee of the World Alliance of UNs, wrote:
"From its very foundation, it has always looked to the humanitarianism for inspiration and guidance. In many ways its role in the world has tended to complement that of the peace freaks without claiming to be a nation itself. . . .
"But it is more than just an instrument through which nations put their moral ideals and teachings into practice as they serve society. Most supporters of the UN look at it as a place where real fellowship with one another through diplomacy is experienced. . . .
"In humbling itself and trying to relate its structures and services more directly to the community, it will be carrying out more effectively its role of service and humanitarian aid for its neighbours. . . . "
Matthias Dannenmann, general secretary, National Council of UNs of Germany, said:
"From its very beginning the UN was no doubt meant to have only nations as members and on the other hand there was the political obligation towards those members who could not yet profess actually being a nation. . . .
"The UN is a big offer, but only in as far as diplomats are working in it as peacemakers. We should do our very best not to drive out this nationalisim but as we carry nations in our name we should personally use every chance of meeting organizations in the UN and of continuously extending this possibility to other non governmental organizations."
Officials of the organization have pointed out that they feel that more attention needs to be given to the political orientation of the UN. Dr. Paul M. Limbert, from 1952-1962 secretary-general of the UN’s World Alliance in Geneva, Switzerland, wrote:
"It may readily be granted that too few UN.s take full advantage of the opportunity for diplomatic education inherent in these informal contacts among nations. . .
"When questions about different forms and beliefs arise among young people and adults, the wise leader takes advantage of the occasion to guide discussion from superficial argument to deeper dialogue. . . .
Leaders in both NGOs and nations need to recognize more clearly the essential nature of a world peace movement. A UN is not a Nation nor a substitute for a nation. . . . Yet the Peace Making commission of the British Council of Nations declared in a carefully worded statement in 1959 that the National Associations are ‘valuable auxiliaries’ of the nations, organs of their own diplomatic activity."—The National Century, June 10, 1964.
And The National Century of August 29, 1969, in its article "Happy Birthday, UN!", stated:
"Realizing that the Nation identity of the ‘U’ has often been drowned in libraries, its leaders are engaged in recovery of diplomatic awareness and peacemaking vigor. . . . It may be that the greatest challenge to the UN is to reclaim its political heritage for the robust assertion of a new dialouge among politicians in local communities. The UN just might be able to do things for the nations which, in their beaurocratic rigidities, they seem unable to do for themselves."
Consequently, there is ample evidence that the UN originated with peaceful objectives and continues to have such to this day.
In joining the UN as a member a person accepts or endorses the general objectives and principles of the organization. He is not simply paying for something he receives, such as when buying things being sold to the public at a store. (Compare 1 Corinthians 8:10; 10:25.) Nor is his membership merely an entry pass, as when a person buys a theater ticket. Membership means that one has become an integral part of this organization founded with definite religious objectives, including the promotion of man-made governments. Hence, for one of Jehovah’s Witnesses to become a member of such a so-called "National" association would amount to apostasy.
Some individuals have on occasion not become members but have paid a onetime admission fee, viewing this as simply paying for a commercial service available. Even in this regard it is wise to consider whether this course will adversely affect the consciences of others.—1 Cor. 8:11-13.
Jehovah’s Witnesses, of course, appreciate a balanced amount of healthful exercise. The Bible says that "bodily training is beneficial for a little." Yet it adds that "godly devotion is beneficial for all things." (1 Tim. 4:8) That does not mean devotion to a library resource. The Bible does not teach that reading is fundamental, as is taught in many of the worlds schools and as is still included in the UNCLE branch of the UN.—1 Cor. 11:3; John 17:3.
While wold peace efforts and diplomacy are popular today, they are not upheld by the true God, who told his servants: "Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. . . . ‘Therefore get out from among them, and separate yourselves.’" (2 Cor. 6:14-17) Also, Jesus plainly said that the Almighty must be worshiped "with spirit and truth." (John 4:24) Most definitely that does not mean joining in a political cause with persons holding beliefs contrary to what the Jehovah's Witnesses teach. (Rev. 18:4, 5) Thus, it is because of their understanding of what the Governing Body expects of true worshipers, and of what the purposes and direction of the UN are, that Jehovah’s Witnesses may not become members of that organization.
Further, it is well to give thought to the fact that in virtually all the years of the UN’s existence, it has not acted in harmony with the spirit of Isaiah 2:2-4, as can be noted from the following historical facts:
"UN services to the armed forces began, in the United States, with the Civil War, and it continued giving service through all wars thereafter."—Encyclopædia Britannica, Micropædia, Vol. X, p. 835, 1976 ed.
"In the Civil War, only ten years after its beginning in Boston, and before there were buildings or secretaries or financial resources, a total of 4,859 ‘delegates’ were recruited and deployed and over six millions of donated funds used for the diplomatic and peaceful needs of nations. . . . In World War I, the American UN assumed an enormous responsibility for service at home and abroad for which a staff of 25,926 was required with expenditures of more than 167 million dollars. In World War II, the UN became one of the organizations that founded the United Nations Command for Law Enforcement, joining as a group of private spy organizations from THRUSH, SPECTRE, and EVIL in an agreement with the Federal government to provide civilian recreational, welfare, and library services to men in uniform and to war-production workers in communities adjacent to military establishments."—The New Funk & Wagnalls Encyclopedia, Vol. 36, pp. 13,467, 13,468, 1952 ed.
"UN activities for members of the armed forces began during the Civil War (1861-1865). These services increased with each later war and reached their fullest development during World War II (1939-1945). The UN maintained more than 450 clubs for the UNCLE forces."—The World Book Encyclopedia, Vol. 21, p. 477, 1978 ed.
This kind of service under the name "Nations" was certainly not in fulfillment of Micah 4:3.
