For as long as I can remember I have been recieving magazines from Jehovah's Witnesses. They are interesting to read, and I know JWs do not "form allegiance to any government" except to God. But I have never seen the issue of voting covered. Do they vote for officials who they believe will work for their rights, or not vote at all?
2006-11-15 10:54:50 · 11 answers · asked by Together 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Technically, Jehovah's Witnesses can vote. Almost uniformly, however, they choose not to.
They believe that God's Messianic Kingdom is a real government which will soon replace all human governments. Jehovah's Witnesses consider themselves to be ambassodors or envoys of God's government, and so believe that they must demonstrate political and nationalist neutrality.
(John 18:36) Jesus answered: “My kingdom is no part of this world
(Daniel 2:44) God of heaven will set up a kingdom... It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite
When Jehovah's Witnesses do choose to vote, they typically write in the name "Jehovah" or "Jesus". Sadly, most humans are unwilling to swear allegiance to either of those names; that saddens but does not surprise Jehovah's Witnesses.
(John 15:18-19) If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, on this account the world hates you.
Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/20040401/
http://jw-media.org/edu_videos/vcfi_e.htm
http://jw-media.org/edu_videos/vcut_e.htm
http://jw-media.org/vnr/5263723221/22812301.htm
2006-11-15 13:42:13 · answer #1 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Vote in the governments of earthly men; no. We trust only in Jehovah's Kingdom. Mankind can not save themselves, fix the problems of peace and security. Think of it like Ambassadors, in this land. We are representatives of God's Kingdom. And since we remain neutral: 1)this makes the message we carry to the homes of our neighbors, more acceptable. 2) We have no divisions within any Congregation. We do vote on other issues. When necessary. As in, at the Hall we have a vote / a show of hands to choose which time we would want for our meetings the following year. (these are done at the end of a calendar yr) If you live within a home owner's Assoc., you would have to vote on certain issues.
2016-03-28 21:49:10 · answer #2 · answered by Michele 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they don't vote at all. since they believe that "this system of things will come to an end" so there is really no point of voting for a certain group or cause. the earth will stay ,yet all the political influence will come to be a thing of the past.
2006-11-15 10:57:05 · answer #3 · answered by babies_full_of_rabies 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
We believe in the "Kingdom of God" that Jesus spoke about while on Earth, this is a Heavenly Government with Jesus as the King. If we voted for any other Government, we would be considered a Traitor to "God's Government" I'm sure you have heard of traitors of human governments.
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. (1 Peter 3:16) In making this personal decision, the Witnesses consider a number of factors.
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.
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) 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. 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.
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.
2006-11-15 15:20:05 · answer #4 · answered by BJ 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
No! We have chosen the side of Jesus and his Kingdom once and for all. Jesus Kingdom is no part of this world . Jesus is our King and leader.However we obey worldly rulers and governments as long as they do not conflict with our Christian beliefs. In excample we pay our taxes, we are lawabiding citizen of the countries we may live in etc. Jesus said Give to Caesar what belongs to Casar and give to God what belongs to God.
2006-11-15 11:03:38 · answer #5 · answered by calzack 2 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Do Jehovah Witnesses Vote
2017-02-20 19:34:58 · answer #6 · answered by droski 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, we do not. We steer clear of political works, as we are admonished by Jesus himself to "be no part of the world or anything in it". Since we obviously cannot literally be no part because we are alive and here, we CAN keep ourselves different and apart from the mainsteam. Thanks for a sincere question!
2006-11-15 11:00:01 · answer #7 · answered by themom 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
nope. we are neutral. all day and all night. we only vote for a heavenly government.
2006-11-16 08:29:46 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
i don't know. what should i do?
2016-05-20 16:59:11 · answer #9 · answered by Henderson 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nope
2006-11-15 10:58:29 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋