If there were a draft for military service, what would eligible men of the Jehovah's Witnesses do?

Answer 1

They refuse military service. Not just combat but any kind of service that is directly connected to the military.

Until 1998, they also refused alternative civilian services in countries with compulsory military service. Supposedly this was because their 'conscience' told them to, but in reality it was a rule handed down by their popelike governing body in New York. The punishment for accepting alternative civilian service would have been excommunication and shunning. Therefore, JW's in those countries had one choice only - prison.

Around 1998, the rulership changed their minds. In fact, they did a 180 degree turnaround and began making arrangements with the governments of some of these countries for the Witnesses to be able to serve in civilian capacities.

For any disgruntled Witnesses who had been forced to go to prison prior to the change, the Watchtower printed an article (Aug 15, 1998, page 17) in which they cautioned them not to blame Jehovah because they had "followed their conscience" . In actual truth, the only part their conscience played was that their conscience would have bothered them to disobey the WT rules - they went to prison whether their conscience would have allowed them to do the alternative service or not. The WT left them no choice, unless you call excommunication and shunning a "choice".

In the US, during the Vietnam War, many JW's were sentenced to work, usually in hospitals in purely civilian service with no connection to the military. They were permitted by the WT to accept this "sentence' rather than go to prison.

Answer 2

Go to jail, if the court refuses to accept that they are ministers. I had many friends growing up who ended up in jail. And no, they would not run north. You find that in other religions, and the non-religious.

They would not serve in any non-combat role for the military or the government. Not even in Nazi Germany, where over 16,000 were put into the camps. Watch the History Channel program on Himmler, who really didn't like them.

Currently in France, you get four years in prison for refusing service. When you get out, you get drafted again. If you refuse, you go back to jail for four years, than the process repeats itself. Some witnesses have spent decades in prison. Lately, France has tried declaring JWs a non-religion, because it doesn't have professional leadership like other religions.

Answer 3

It is a matter of personal conscience. I cannot fathom how anyone can preach that they love their brother and then go to war against someone because the current ruler says they are the enemy, for the time being. We Witnesses give our allegiance to Jehovah, not to a man, flag, country etc.

I personally would not go to war. My father was a conscientious objector. It was by no means fun, however he knew that since that was the only other choice that was the one for him. I hope to never have to spend time in jail, however if that is what is needed should a draft come up, then that is what I will do. It is what any true Christian would do.

In answer to those who say we serve Non combative forms of millitary, as I understand it to be in the millitary you swear alleigence to the President and the Flag. No servant of God can give his allegience to a nation, person, or object.

Once again, it is up to each of us to make up our own minds.

Answer 4

"thou shall now no longer kill" (Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17), Jesus amplifies the which skill of the 6th commandment. He brings out that to dedicate homicide technique greater then only killing somebody, it skill having an aggravated and unforgiving approach closer to them. The apostle John elaborates in this by skill of writing that to hate everyone seems to be comparable to murdering them (a million John 3:15). Pacifist who do no longer circulate to conflict: Amish, Anabaptist, Bahai, Brethern, Buddhists, Jainists, Jehovah's Witness, Mennonites, and Quakers. Non-Pacifist: Agnostics, Atheists, Mormons, Salvation militia, Satanists, Taoists, and Unitarians.

Answer 5

The same thing they already do in the countries which continue to have forced military conscription:
1. If offered, accept non-military alternative public service (typically twice the duration or more of the military service duration)
2. Apply for conscientious objector status, and accept the "sentence" of alternate non-military service
3. Go to prison.

http://www.jw-media.org/vnr/5263723221/632251a.htm
http://www.jw-media.org/vnr/5263723221/22812301.htm

Answer 6

Whilst disagreeing with a lot of JW beliefs, this is one issue where I concur with their stance on being conscientious objectors. My father was a conscientious objector during WWII and joined the fire brigade to save lives. His was not an easy decision, but he would rather go to prison than compromise his beliefs. I respect the rights of any person to stand up for their beliefs. Is this not a constitutional right?

Answer 7

if young men were drafted they would have to declare that they are conscientoous abjectors.
refer yourself to the movie Sgt York.
i myself would not fight in any war that I judge to be EVIL and not of God and or for the salvation of a righteous nation under God.
They could lock me up in prison and it would be far better to rot there than to serve a military that serves the one world government and the enslavement of the whole world.

Answer 8

They would be held as conscientous objectors and be placed in a non combat occupation through either the military of government.

Answer 9

Obtain an attorney

Answer 10

I can't speak for them but if they truly believe in their position
according to their God beliefs then they would have to suffer the
man punishment as required, Buddhist also