Shouldn't there be a law preventing religious groups from disallowing their members to vote in civil election?

Question

An example would be the cult of the Watchtower Society. If they use the court system, they should vote for the judges! Why indeed are they not standing up when the flag is saluted? My Father, a veteran, has two memories that will remain ... one of a cult member not standing up to the Star Spangled banner, and one when the court allowed a cult member to not repay a loan to this veteran on a fixed income. They use the rest of us, IMO. I can agree that they are forced to pay taxes. That is the only thing required in the US, it seems, when patriotism is just as important. Noone forces them to make a political stand, but cultic groups should not be able to prevent members from voting and saluting the flag. This group would have religion completely out of the schools, in order to please themselves. Another place where the courts are used against us voting Americans.

Thank you for your responses. Wonderful to hear about Australia. Pat Buchanan, in his book, mentions the un-American ways of some Mexican immigrants and, that thinking has me question the un-American attitude of other groups. Most people also believe that the Watchtower is anti-family, too, for example July 4th, which is family- celebrated and a civil holiday that they want no part of. In talking about separation of church and state, look to this group and how disastrous is their solution. As to being offensive, I have two thoughts: 1. Anti-family, anti-God given civic authority; and 2. Etymology of "cult:" cult
1617, "worship," also "a particular form of worship," from Fr. culte, from L. cultus "care, cultivation, worship," originally "tended, cultivated," pp. of colere "to till" (see colony). Rare after 17c.; revived mid-19c. with reference to ancient or primitive rituals. Meaning "devotion to a person or thing" is from 1829.

Answer 1

Like many rants against Jehovah's Witnesses, this "questioner" focuses on unverifiable anecdotes and outright misrepresentations. The anti-Witness "cult-" slur is bigotedly repeated four times in this one so-called "question".

The fact is that Jehovah's Witnesses are not "disallowed" to vote in civil elections (see below). Almost unanimously, however, individuals among them choose not to.

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that God's Messianic Kingdom is a real government which will soon replace all human governments. Jehovah's Witnesses consider themselves to be ambassadors 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.

Answer 2

Cult rules are cult rules - they aren't the same as civil laws. If a cult member actually secretly votes then they are only violating the cult rules, not the civil law.

As to not standing up for the Star Spangled Banner, etc., a lot of these cults feel that is "worshipping" something less than God. With the age of the Internet, the age of cults is probably on the way out - its hard to enforce cult rules when the truth about their nonsensical beliefs is available virtually everywhere. Scientology is a prime example - see the link below exposing what their REAL beliefs are - and the truth behind the origin of the "church".

Answer 3

I (when Home in the US) live close to Hassidic Jews. They all "work" for the Synagogue, so claim no income. They get welfare and subsidized medical. The Students go to religious schools that basically teach them to vote but not to consider themselves Americans. They will not Serve in the Military and although are not law breakers do not consider civil law. Once a month the Rabbi goes to the shopping mall and negotiates great prices as he spends all the money on all the needs of the community (hey real commies and it works). So Member1 works for member2 in the communities jewelry store in NYC and the store issues a check to the Synagogue. It is Un taxable. Member 1 has a baby and needs Diapers, the Rabbi goes and buys diapers for 100 members kids and instead of $8 per package he gets 100 packages for $4 each. Islamist are doing the same thing Here and in the EU and the Average citizen gets screwed on taxes and services due to these "religious" clusters.

Keep seperation of church and state but tax them and monitor and punish any anti civil behaviour.

Answer 4

It would depend on *how* they forbid their members to vote--and where you are, since I can only speak for the USA. As long as the members are not being physically threatened (or perhaps mentally compelled, though I'm not sure how to prove that one), their own choice to belong to the cult is also seen as their own choice to follow the rules of that cult, including not voting, if that's part of their religion.

A lot of people not in any way connected to cults want to keep religion out of public school. But that said, the cult you mentioned will have a hard time chiming in on the debate if they don't vote.

Answer 5

Nope. A person can choose not to vote, and they can choose to dump their religion.

While it is grossly unfair for anyone to rule that a loan need no be repaid, it is also our right not to stand up for a flag salute...it is horribly unamerican to FORCE anyone to salute the flag.

So far as religion in schools...it simply does not belong there. Even jesus spoke out agaist public prayer "and when you pray, DO NOT pray like the pharisees, out on the street corner, instead, go to your secret chamber and pray there"

a true christian would not want prayer in the public schools because it goes against the teachings of jesus.

Answer 6

In Australia voting is compulsary as in you go to jail if you don't vote but i saw a story on TV about the Brethren (another cult) that doesn't have to vote. That peaves me off big time!

Why are they so **** special? They don't have to vote but they still get free medical and all the other benefits of our society.

The same news story was highlighting several incidents of rape and maulestation of children and women. Instead of the governemnt jailing these sickos they let them roam free in society.

Personally i think we should hog tye the lot of them and throw stones the old fashion way.

Answer 7

First of all,I used to be a Jehovahs Witness,and they are not a cult.People are free to believe the way they wish as long as they are not breaking any laws.They are supposed to show respect when the pledge is being said.They are taught not to have anything to do with govt.ie..,voting,suing people etc.My father is retired Air Force and he is a Jehovahs witness.I,myself do not believe in their ways,but he has a right to believe what he wants.Altho you disagree and I disagree,they still have that right.Just thought I would help in trying to understand.Altho as with any religion there are good and bad in all walks of life.There are many good Witnesses,just as there are many bad catholics and good catholics,bad baptists and good baptists.These people harm no one and are supposed to show respect.

Answer 8

No, there should be no law regulating a religion unless it it physically harmful to its participants or others. There must remain a separation of church and state in order for our country to remain free.

Answer 9

you got it