I'm not so much a sportsy-follower and admit that I didn't know that Serena Williams is a Jehovah's Witness until she started talking about Barack Obama in this Slate piece, but I'm glad she did — this is fascinating stuff. Do you know why Jehovah's Witnesses tend not to vote? Passages like John 17:14 where Jesus says of those who follow him: "They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world." This other-worldliness is what Jehovah's Witnesses have interpreted as a directive to remain above terrestrial concerns like the election and neutral in all political matters.
Though voting isn't completely prohibited it's cautioned against — the Watchtower, the official publication of the Jehovah's Witnesses has suggested that whether to stop into the voting booth was one of personal conscience. Not limited to voting, Witnesses also don't serve in the military, pledge allegiance to the flag, or run for office.
The cautioning against politics does work — only 13 percent are registered to vote, and though they're the biggest religious group that opts out of voting, there are others, like the Amish and the Rastafarians (though even their attitudes have altered the last few years.) Is God a big reason to stay vote-free? In the US about 2 percent of people who don't register to vote cite religion as the reason.
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I did not know that! Interesting stuff...
1oh yeah, I read that in Slate the other day...
I actually already knew this, because I worked with a few Jehovah's Witnesses. Actually, within my small company, there were three Witnesses working there (actually only 2 working there at once, not a complete overlap of time at the company).
I've learned a lot about their belief system...pretty interesting stuff!
2That is really interesting. While I completely respect their beliefs, it doesn't matter how "other-worldly" they are, they will still be subjected to the policies of the governing office. I can't imagine not wanting to have a say in our democracy. Again, I'm just voicing some thoughts, not trying to be disrespectful.
3I don't understand how not of this world applies to voting but not to making money or business decisions or shopping... all these give you a personal stake in having things go a certain way, whereas if you vote, you could choose policies and candidates that reflect your beliefs. I don't always agree with other peoples' beliefs but it seems a purer way to have influence than money-related choices.
4I don't understand this at all. "Not of this world"??? that just makes NO sense. I don't think I could deal with not having a say in my country's politics.
5I went to school with several Witnesses. One of my friends in high school and college is a practicing witness but she votes. She was active in student government and registered to vote when she turned 18. Her parents encouraged it. It was not until later that I learned that most Jehovah's Witnesses did not vote.
6Interesting. Do Jehovah's Witness serve on jury duty?
7mm. interesting question tuesdaysurprise. im sure they do..while voting is something you can choose to do, jury duty and paying taxes are things you *must* do..
8It's a really interesting religion. My mother is actually a Jehovah's Witness so I feel pretty confident in answering a few of the previous questions...
Witnesses often choose not to participate in voting or running for political office because they think it's futile to rely on humans to fix the world's problems (which is why they go door-to-door...they feel that converting people into "believers" and loving Jehovah is a better way to combat world issues).
They differentiate the political process from having a job/spending money because they see those things as more of a necessity.
They also don't celebrate Christmas, Mother's/Father's Day, birthdays, etc, citing that materialism/idolatry is a no-no, and that these holidays tend to perpetuate that.
They also refuse blood transfusions.
I could keep going...they really do have a fascinating belief system.
9i thought you could get out of jury duty citing religious reasons?
10Well I have always been of the opinion that I am spirit first but I have also been of the opinion that (God/Creation) helps those who help themselves. I don't believe that you can get anywhere by simply clasping your hands in prayer and waiting for something to happen. The one and we are here to be the instruments of our own change for good or ill. I believe in the incarnation of the Spirit in us, that all people are incarnations of the one Spirit and that we use it to the degree that they become conscious of it.
I do understand the goal of emancipation from the discord of civilization but it is the very discord of mans world which is the spirits testing ground for enlightenment. A drop of God is in each one of us to recognize and I don't believe that we are here to simply sit idol with such magnificent gifts to be expressed. Amen.
11Hypnoticmix, with all due respect, I really don't think that they feel as if they are sitting on the sidelines or just waiting for something to happen. They are usually very active in what they perceive to be as turning our world into a better place (going door-to-door, participating in the religious process and recruiting others to be active as well, publishing the Watchtower/Awake, etc.)
...They just go about it in a different way than you or I.
12I had no idea they didn't vote.
13Don't get me wrong I'm all for spiritual exercise and expression for change on a spiritual level. However, in my opinion to consciously stay hands off terrestrial governence and not be instrumental in bringing your gifts in the choosing of the most powerful, far reaching, manipulative government that will dictate change in people's lives on a global level for at least the next century or more is (in my opinion) misguided. I believe we were giving certain gifts by creation to effect change in this world. By choosing to consciously not participate in the power that directs humanity on earth the expression is ineffective unless you happen to be a Jehovah’s Witness.
14Well I was going to talk about what I knew. My sister is a Witness. But,
grrlyrebel said
it all. Oh well. Nevermind.
15They don't celebrate birthdays either because some lady historically asked for decapitated heads as a gift. At least that's what a Jehovah's Witness told me. I wouldn't quote me on it...I was 12 when that story was passed my way.
I just hope none of them have any complaints on anything that happens politically. I say if you don't exercise your right to vote, you don't have the right to make comments about what you do and don't like about the government, since you could have done something to change it, but opted not to.
...nothing against their beliefs though.
16grrlyrebel, thanks for the extra info - this is really interesting! I am curious about the blood transfusion thing - whey would they not take one if they need it/it could save their life? Do you know which scripture they base that decision on?
17They are "not of this world" okay, so now i dont feel so bad about pretending i am not home when they knock on my door.
18This is a really interesting post. Grrl nice comments btw.
19I worked with (and still have a great friendship) with a Witness, and she has served on jury duty, but doesn't vote. I respect her belief system enough not to ask her why she would do one and not the other.
20You learn something new everyday
21This can't be the tribulation, most days I get a nice nap!
22But that's the reason they don't vote-
Christ returned in 1914 invisibly.
Satan got cast down to earth invisibly.
He runs all governments, religions, United Nations etc
If you vote your part of this evil system of things.
Their exact words.
How can it do any good to vote???
Good question, Martinilush! Though I'm not sure of exact Biblical passages, I'm pretty sure their reasoning on blood transfusions are based on Old Testament scriptures..."Blood is sacred", "Do not consume blood", etc.
Ok, obviously I'm paraphrasing on that second one, but from what I can remember this is pretty much the jist. The question then is: whether transfusion=consumption. For most of us, it probably isn't. For Witnesses, it is in many situations.
There have been numerous court cases about this very thing, where, for instance a JW wants to refuse a blood transfusion for him/herself or his/her child, but a health care provider is arguing that such life-saving procedures are "mandatory".
Another thing that I remember about the blood transfusion thing: my mom (who, again, is a JW) carries with her id/license a card that is issued by the Kingdom Hall that basically states "As a believer of Jehovah's word, I demand that blood not be put into my body in any shape or form" with her signature. Again, that's not verbatim but you get the idea.
I apologize if this is going outside the scope of this particular forum...and I apologize my answer is pretty abstract, but just like the voting issue it can get pretty complicated depending on the situation.
23Voting is a conscience matter for Jehovah's Witnesses. I can't speak for others but only myself. There is no doubt that it is important to contribute to our community and make a difference and many people feel that they do their part when they vote. Every action we take has a consequence and voting is an action that can not be taken back. In many cases, if you vote someone into power, they are in power for sometime. It is rare that the people can turn out their newly elected official. The only anomaly to this is Governor Gray Davis in California. Voting is not a task we should take lightly. The choices made by the elected official were put in place by my own vote. If they make choices that don't agree with my Christian conscience, I would be partly to blame. I can't put my faith in politicians who are known to turn on a dime according the whim of their constituents. I alone have to live with my conscience and I do not want to bear responsibility for someone else's actions.
24grrlyrebel, ok, I see what you're getting at...you've given me some info to help me...gonna do some research and see what I can find out! For some reason this issue just really fascinates me!
25Here is my question....can they serve as law enforcement officers?
26I realize that this conversation was a couple of days ago but I found a couple of the questions very interesting. MartiniLush... If you would like more info on the reasons that Jehovah's Witnesses do not accept blood transfusions try their official website at watchtower.org. There are lots of avenues for research there and it comes straight for them. Jennicharm... Here is a quote directly from one of the publications of Jehovah's Witnesses.
"If someone has employment that involves carrying a weapon for use against other humans, or if he is required to be trained in the martial arts, such as judo and karate, what should he do? In making his personal decision he must bear in mind that a follower of Jesus is to pursue peace. (Romans 12:17, 18) In view of what is stated at Isaiah 2:4, most of Jehovah’s Witnesses avoid such employment. Even though the employment may be for the purpose of protecting the public (or property) in harmony with Romans 13:4, experience has shown that there is always the danger of incurring bloodguilt by taking life with the weapon, with harm to the individual’s conscience, as well as there being a danger of injury or death to oneself due to retaliation. (Psalm 51:14; compare Numbers 35:11, 12, 22-25.) Certainly it is best to avoid such dangers by selecting employment where they do not arise."
Sorry if thats to long but it is not a question that can be answered in few words.
27The following SUMMARIES OF OVER 1400 JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES CRIMINAL and CIVIL COURT CASES will provide the BEST and MOST ACCURATE info about Jehovah's Witnesses, their beliefs, and how they ACTUALLY practice such day to day.
The following website summarizes 900 court cases and lawsuits affecting children of Jehovah's Witness Parents, including 400 cases where the JW Parents refused to consent to life-saving blood transfusions for their dying children, as well as nearly 400 CRIMINAL cases -- most involving MURDERS:
DIVORCE, BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS, AND OTHER LEGAL ISSUES AFFECTING CHILDREN OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES
http://jwdivorces.bravehost.com
The following website summarizes over 500 lawsuits filed by Jehovah's Witnesses against their Employers, incidents involving problem JW Employees, and other secret JW "history" court cases:
EMPLOYMENT ISSUES UNIQUE TO JEHOVAH'S WITNESS EMPLOYEES
http://jwemployees.bravehost.com
28JW's are hypocrites....I have a sister who is one, and I truly despise her....First they don't believe in voting, they don't believe in our flag and the military but they are right there to collect a disability and any government assistants. They truly make me sick! If they don't want to be an American they should not be aloud to take money from our country.
29For those of you that are calling this religion interesting, I would not..... I would call JW crazy and nuts. These people are truely LOONS!
30I'm not baptized yet, but I do study with the JW and I go to the meetings twice a week. As a few people stated above, it is a conscience decision to vote. Nothing is "forbidden" by this religion, but they do urge you to make your decisions based on the bible teachings...Jehovah makes it VERY clear as to where he stands with the political system. We have freedom of speech, freedom of choice and everything else, but it's important though that we take heed to the bible prophecies in everything we do. HE is the only one that will be able to help us when everything goes crashing down...why not be on his team now???
31As a 20yr old one of Jehovah's Witnesses, i can tell u we are not nuts.. Ask a Witness all of these questions when they come to your door. Blood Transfusions.. Jury Duty.. Voting.. And anything else your curious about. And make sure they use the Bible, I'm sure they will, But just to keep them on there toes!
Witness can be picked apart by half truths or people that dislike there family.. But the fact is we love our neighbor, we don't get up early on Saturday and other days throughout the week (We work and are tired to ha ha) and drive to your door to argue(i know i don't).. were there looking for people like u, that look around and see the injustice and the suffering that man puts upon itself. (no matter who is elected). And wants to know the BIBLES hope and GODS purpose for mankind's future.
O and another place to look for info is www.Watchtower.org
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