Jehovah's Witnesses martyrs of the holocaust?

Question

The Swedish government has produced a book on the Holocaust entitled Tell Ye Your Children, which has been distributed throughout the country free of charge to all households with children. This publication notes that Jehovah’s Witnesses “refused to swear an oath of allegiance to Hitler and Nazi Germany. Such resistance is exceptional because merely signing a document declaring their allegiance would have ended their persecution—yet few chose this option.”

Jehovahs Witnesses were the only group given a choice to stay in the concentration camps or swear allegiance to hitler.

Historian Brian Dunn stated: ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses were incompatible with Nazism. Most important of the Nazi objections to them was their political neutrality. This meant that no believer would bear arms, hold office, take part in public festivals, or make any sign of allegiance.

More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persecution_of_Jehovah's_Witnesses

Answer 1

"As a group", yes
But also, individually, they were approached with a choice.

There were a few others that refused Nazism and suffered.
A protestant here and there maybe, as an example.

Most who suffered had no choice ethnically.

But what makes the Witnesses exceptional is they could have signed a little paper stating allegiance to Hitler and walk away.
They had a choice, allegiance to Hitler, or God?
They chose 'as a group', and as individuals, not to endorse Nazism.

I question your following sentence:
"Jehovah's Witnesses were the only group given a choice to stay in the concentration camps or swear allegiance to hitler"

I believe the other area churches, and peoples were given the choice. And they chose to follow Hitler.

Answer 2

Yes, many Jehovah's Witnesses were persecuted by the Nazis, because of their beliefs and political neutrality. They could sign their way out, but it would mean compromising their beliefs, so most didn't do that. They had to wear a purple star. The Jews were the biggest group persecuted, of course, but it is true that the JW's showed a lot of courage and faith and should be remembered, too.

Answer 3

When you do what God says even if you don't understand you have pleased God and followed the best path for yourselves.

In the old law the Israelites were told not to eat pork, trichinosis's, no refrigeration and they obeyed

they were told not to drink from a well with a dead animal in it, no knowledge of microorganisms, diseases yet they obeyed

they were told to abstain from blood, no knowledge of blood born life threatening illnesses, sickle cell, aids, hepititis , and more they obeyed.

And the bible gave this admonition. If you obey...good health to you.

Jehovah told us all in his written word..obey God as ruler rather than man. He fortified us with ...What can man do to you that I will be unable to make right?
Cowards will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
If you deny me before men Jesus said I will deny you before my father who is in the heavens.

It was a horrible testament of how cruel men can be to each other. We have freedom of religion here in the States. We encourage each other to read the bible and to praise God every day along with thanksgiving.
It would be a pleasant place to live if we all refused to fight, and all talked love one to another.

Let us all run the race with endurance as we approach the end of this system of things and God will bless us with the paradise earth forever.

Answer 4

Jehovah's Witnesses endured terrible persecution at the hand of Hitler's Satanic agents.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/20030301/
http://watchtower.org/e/19980708/

Answer 5

Jehovah's Witnesses would not join the military in fighting the Germans. They were useless and if we followed their lead Hitler would have killed even more people.

Should we now discuss those JW children which died because blood transfusions were refused?

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In the defense of your household.

If my daughter was in the back yard and next to her was a poisonous snake I would not wait around for the police to show up. Instead I would grab my machete and kill them before they injure my children. Just as the civil magistrate has the God-given authority to protect the nation, so to a person has a right to defend their household from serious harm. We read in Exodus 22:2, 3;

"If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him. If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft."

But notice if the person is found in the next day he is not to be killed. Here again we have an example of lawful and unlawful acts of taking away of a man’s life. If the person is in the act of threatening your family you have the right to fight back – however you are not to behave as the judge and jury the next day in the street.

This is one of those Old Testament cases where we can glean a general equity or principle for our present day situation. Some will say; “Oh no! That was the Old Testament, today we turn the other cheek.” What they forget is that the moral law does not change from the Old Testament into the New Testament. The teaching to turn the other cheek was to counter the over aggressive use of revenge in Jesus’ day (you have heard an eye for an eye). Also notice in Luke 6:29; what we are talking about a non-lethal slapping of the cheek, the carrying of a pack two mile, the given of your coat. These were only acts of humiliation and hardly comparable to serious dangers of our families. This does not mean we are to sit ideally by (waiting for the authorities) as our family is murdered. Yes, we are to resist taking manner into our own hands but that is if it’s possible, as it says in Romans; “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men” “If it is possible” is not the same as always. We are to strive to live at peace with all men, but if our families are in danger we are to rise up and be their protectors.

Answer 6

hmmm

still think the jews have one up on them...

There were millions of people persecuted by the Nazis, even Germany's own people, forcing the kids into battle. etc. Its ridiculous to single out "maryrs" when anyone who came out alive is a miracle.

Answer 7

that's nice , I still think they are loony, they expel their own members from their family and society if they don't want any part of it , I saw a little girl die simply because she needed a blood transfusion , but will take an organ transplant (health care-it makes you see the lite) ! look I can go on and on! just because they said no to pig vomit Hitler doesn't mean crap to me when you are a Hypocrite otherwise!

Answer 8

Overblown and inaccurate information.