JW’s repeatedly make ‘black and white’ issues that are
scripturally personal decisions. The
right to defend oneself is a basic human right.
I just visited my 70 something hard core elder/JW father and this subject
came up. I asked him what he would do if
his neighbor or he and my mother were attacked.
Meekly stand there and beg for mercy from a violent evil animalistic
human? Or perhaps defend himself with only
his aged hands? Why hands but no gun?? 65
years a JW and he had no answer.
JW’s often refer to the Old Testament (Heb. Scriptures) to
support their dogmatic rules. Well, the
nation of Israel- with Jehovah’s help- not only defended themselves, but also
initially offensively used weaponry to take the Promised Land. Later, Jesus did command Peter to return his sword
to his place (live by the sword, die by the sword, Matt. 26:52), but this was a
specific contextual situation. One is
not ‘living by the sword’ simply by preparing to defend oneself or loved ones. Early on, Jesus sent the disciples out without
money, food, or even a change of clothes, just a ‘staff’, emphasizing trust in
the Holy Spirit (Mark 6:7-13). But the
initial preaching was a short term message publicizing Jesus as the living
prophesied Messiah. Was he also
encouraging his disciples to not store food, save money, or even have more than
one garment? Obviously not. Later (Luke 22:36) he acknowledged long term preparation
was a must as after his death the preaching work focused on the good news of
salvation through Jesus death in whatever the hereafter is.
In Romans 12:18, Paul said ‘If it is possible, be peaceable
with all men.’ He tacitly acknowledged here
that there would be times where it may not be possible to have peace.
Regardless, self-defense is a PERSONAL CHOICE. Those who attempt to make religious laws of
matters that are personal Christian decisions are themselves wolves in the Christian
congregation (Acts 20:29,30)
