Is it true that this religion prohibits its followers from participation in secular government? If so, why? Does this involve simply running for office or does it include voting, also?
2007-02-21 17:53:01 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
In a nutshell, we remain neutral in the politics of the world, including, like you mentioned, running for office, voting, demonstrating, going to war, etc.
As JW's we take pride in that we have unity everywhere in the world. It is a fact that we have been able to transcend --- borders, cultures, backgrounds, race, economic differences, ethnicity, and so forth. It would not be possible to do that if we put politics of our country above those who share our beliefs.
Plus, Jesus stated his followers would be no part of the world, and he set the example --- when they tried to make him King, he refused, and reiterated that again when before Pilate.
While we remain neutral, we are not anti-government however, we do respect the authority of the government and respect those in such a capacity as well as obey the laws of the land.
2007-02-21 19:59:07 · answer #1 · answered by OatesATM 3 · 7⤊ 1⤋
Jehovah's Witnesses do not align themselves with political parties or run for office, but an individual adherent may choose to accept a governmental appointment (as Joseph, Daniel, Nehemiah and others did in the bible). Technically, Jehovah's Witnesses can vote. Almost uniformly, however, they choose not to.
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.
2007-02-22 07:31:29 · answer #2 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Consider the division this has created in other religion. The Methodists are looking to confiscate the church properties of congregations unwilling to support the leadership's political goals as regard gay rights.
Also, which government should a multi-national religion support? A sign of the blessings of the holy spirit is the agreement on all the issues facing them. Look at the divisions among Christians living in America and those living in Germany, during WWII. Recently, a program on the History Channel feature an Army Sharp Shooter who was Mormon. In Germany, he was faced with killing another Mormon, whose family the sharp shoorter had stayed with while on missionary work in Germany, prior to the war.
2007-02-22 05:17:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
We have already thrown in our support for God's Kingdom or government. That is why we do not get involved in the affairs of earthly government. We do not vote or run for political office.
2007-02-22 02:18:36 · answer #4 · answered by LineDancer 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
it includes voting - they are not permitted to vote.
2007-02-22 02:03:41 · answer #5 · answered by Jews for Jesus 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋