I was raised as a JW and i plan on getting baptised when I'm ready. But my question is why cant I join the military? I told my aunt and she said you cant do it, but she didnt really explain cause she was at work when I called her , so if some one could help me out, i would be so thankful!
2007-05-11 17:28:08 · 22 answers · asked by ;-D 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
God hates war. The Bible says that the true Christians are not part of this world. That means that they don't get involved in politics or war.
"Jehovah himself examines the righteous one as well as the wicked one,
And anyone loving violence His soul certainly hates." -- Psalm 11:5
"They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world." -- John 17:16
Jehovah will soon put an end to all wars.
"And he will certainly render judgment among the nations and set matters straight respecting many peoples. And they will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore." -- Isaiah 2:4
"He is making wars to cease to the extremity of the earth.
The bow he breaks apart and does cut the spear in pieces;
The wagons he burns in the fire." -- Psalm 46:9
Read the Yearbooks. There are many experiences of brothers who refused to go to war. That's why many of them were sent to prison. Also, talk to an elder and ask for more explanations. The Internet is not the best place to search for advices.
"Then people will deliver YOU up to tribulation and will kill YOU, and YOU will be objects of hatred by all the nations on account of my name." -- Matthew 24:9
http://www.watchtower.org/e/19980601/article_01.htm
http://www.jw-media.org/edu_videos/vcfi_e.htm
http://www.jw-media.org/edu_videos/vcut_e.htm
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2004/1/1/article_02.htm
2007-05-11 21:26:58 · answer #1 · answered by Alex 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Hi I'm John a JW I really have a hard time understanding the reason for your not understanding joining the military. Don't you know its wrong to murder even if its for the state? ...what does the scripture say about being part of the world? .........(James 4:4) 4 Adulteresses, do YOU not know that the friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is constituting himself an enemy of God. .............(1 John 2:15-17) 15 Do not be loving either the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him; 16 because everything in the world—the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one’s means of life—does not originate with the Father, but originates with the world. 17 Furthermore, the world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever. Hasn't an elder explained this to you? how old are you?
2007-05-13 16:26:03 · answer #2 · answered by zorrro857 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Being raised as a JW will make you familiar with the basic teachings, will you not? Why we do not join the military is one of the many basic teachings learned from the Bible.
Jesus said "You are no part of the world just as I am no part of the world..."
Isaiah 2:4 reads: And he will certainly render judgment among the nations and set matters straight respecting many peoples. And they will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore."
Meaning, true Christians will learn war NO MORE.
Joining the military is being part of the world and going against the very words found in the book of Isaiah. Not only that, it will go against many commands from God and Debbie brought out some of them on her comments.
If you really want to please Jehovah, you must not be part of this world but instead, stay neutral.
2007-05-12 13:00:41 · answer #3 · answered by Agape 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am not a JW.
There is no reason that you can't join the military other than the JW's tell you not to.
As a Christian, we say that we are on the earth but not of it. That means this is not our final home. Just because it isn't that doesn't mean that we can't get involved with the affairs here - voting, campaigning and even military service if warranted.
2007-05-15 02:23:57 · answer #4 · answered by Buzz s 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Christian does not search out one side or the other in national and international disputes that lead to violence and bloodshed. As a slave of God, he remains neutral concerning this world’s conflicts, thus avoiding the bloodguilt associated with them. Jesus said of his followers: “They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world.” (John 17:16) So the Christian does not participate in the world’s violent struggles. He knows that in due time God will bring all wrong to an end, and that without hurting innocent persons in the process.
To join the military is taking sides against God.
Read James 4:1-4
gemhandy@hotmail.com
2007-05-11 17:58:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I believe that JWs don't recognize any kingdom besides the Kingdom of God. Thus to serve in the military of a carnal, earthly kingdon like the USA would be a form of idolatry - serving man before serving God. They are not even supposed to serve as medics or chaplains.
They are not supposed to vote, either - same reason. But paying taxes is deemed proper ("Render to Caeser what is Caeser's...")
If you do not really understand JW teaching then you might want to rethink baptism into it. At least for now.
2007-05-11 17:35:38 · answer #6 · answered by Richard of Fort Bend 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
It is because as part of God's new earth, we follow the Bible counsel at Isaiah 2:4 and Micah 4:3. And they will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. They will not lift up sword, nation against nation, neither will they learn war anymore.
Another reason is because Jesus said, as recorded at John 13:35, that his followers would be identified by their outstanding love. It is not loving to kill other persons. Military service requires you take the lives of others during war.
2007-05-14 13:08:25 · answer #7 · answered by babydoll 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a Christian our first allegience goes to God, not the flag or whomever is in power at the time. To join the millitary is signing our loyalty over. As Christians we know murder is wrong, agreeing to be part of the millitary is agreeing to the fact that at some point we may be a party to murder. Consider Jesus said Christians should be able to recognise one another from the LOVE. Being Christian is not an American thing, or an European thing. It is a Christian thing. We cannot consider ourselves loving Christians and at the same time go out gunning for others, who among other things may one day be our brothers and sisters.
2007-05-12 06:18:07 · answer #8 · answered by Ish Var Lan Salinger 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
If you were really raised in a witness family....you would not even be asking this question. You would know why we choose not to join the military
2007-05-13 15:57:30 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
From what I was told by a witness, "JW's can't have an "allegiance" to 2 masters, or swear, or take an oath and they don't believe in taking up arms." My summary is a paraphrase of what I was told and its been many years since this information was told to me.
2007-05-11 17:42:26 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋