Be aware that true Christians are NOT the same as pacifism. Though we wait on Jehovah for all things, it does not mean we allow ourselves or family to be stepped on. Protection of the family is part of parents especially husbands job. It is left up to individual Bible trained conscience how far this protection will go. So don't go thinking it is open season on JWs. Sometimes surprises are nasty.
Our allegiance is to Jehovah and His Kingdom government. It is not to earthly governments. We do act as ambassadors do in other lands. We obey all the laws of the land unless and until they conflict with God's Laws.
A few years ago this was brought to mind as I traveled the speed limit on the interstate. It was a time of intense patriotism and flags were everywhere. An SUV must have had 12 flags over the car going at least 25 mph over the speed limit. Want to be patriotic? Obey the laws. We pay our taxes, obey the laws even when police are not looking. That is what a true Christian does.
Being peaceable with one another is one of those things that is a command for true Christians that is at odds with earthly governments. There are Baptists, Methodists, Catholics, Lutherans, etc. on both sides of any war. Are you obeying Jesus command for love and peace among our spiritual brothers?
2007-08-18 10:38:22
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answer #1
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answered by grnlow 7
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A very good question... You actually have two separate questions here. Let me start with the first.
If someone with a gun broke into my house and said he was going to kill everyone there... given that I do not have a gun, I guess he will probably be successful if he is serious about his threat. That would be no different than someone who was not one of Jehovah's Witnesses who did not have a gun.
I worked with a guy who asked a similar question: "If someone had a gun and offered you a gun and said "kill me or I will kill you" wouldn't you kill him?" And the answer is no. I would not.
The reason is that what the criminal in this case is saying is "either I am going to be a murderer, or you are going to be a murderer- you choose who the murderer will be"
My choice would be that I would not be the murderer. If the criminal is ok with being a murderer, so be it. That effects his relationship with God- not mine.
As for rape, you are mistaken, Jehovah's Witnesses will defend themselves and will fight to their own death.
I have not been in the situation you describe, however, there is nothing that says I could not take the gun and threaten the rapist with it... most people will stop what they are doing when threatened with a gun. But lets say that this did not stop him. I would not hesitate to, for example, put the gun to his thigh and pull the trigger. The goal is to prevent or stop the rape- This does not require that I kill the person I am defending myself or my family from.
The number of places you can inflict a non-fatal gunshot wound are numerous! ;0)
Christians may ward off physically aggressive attacks against themselves, their families, or others in genuine need of defense. But they would not initiate an attack, nor would they physically retaliate to save their possessions. They would not carry weapons in anticipation of such an attack; rather, they endeavor to “live peaceably.”—2 Corinthians 13:11.
2007-08-18 17:44:49
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answer #2
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answered by Jade Ublu 3
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Jehovah's Witnesses are taught that they can defend themselves, if it is done properly.(Exodus 22:2,3)
Just because someone says they are going to do something doesn't mean they will do it.
As to the rape situation. I would not grab the gun because I could accidentally injure/kill the rape victim. Also, rape is certainly a terrible crime and there is no excuse for it. But suppose I did grab the gun, shoot and kill the rapist and then I found out that some tragic circumstance(abuse/bad training by parent(s); breakup/mistreatment by wife/girlfriend) led to his becoming so angry that he committed this crime. I would be so distraught that I killed a man who was so unhappy and emotionally upset. Remember, in the above scripture, the property owner was found blood guilty if he shot the thief in daylight. Why? Because he could discern the motive/ intent of the robber. Perhaps, during the robbery, the robber said he was hungry. Certainly you would agree even though stealing is wrong, it would be equally wrong to kill someone who stole because they were hungry. Also it was proper for the robber to face his punishment according the the law.
2007-08-18 17:50:28
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answer #3
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answered by catgrl 5
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You have misunderstood, it is not true that Witnesses do not believe in fighting under ANY circumstances. Every human has the inherent right of self-defense.
"The situation may be such that the only thing a person can do is to use whatever is at hand to protect himself or others. As a result, the attacker may receive a fatal blow. From the Scriptural standpoint, the one acting in self-defense would not thereby incur bloodguilt."
The above is a direct quote from an Awake magazine dealing with self-defense. I provided it in my response to show you that despite rumors to the contrary, we are taught to exercise balance in all things against the backdrop of God's word the Bible. Watching your daughter get raped is not balanced.
Short answer: If I couldn't reach my bat, I would pick up the gun and shoot the guy. Then call the cops. Okay?
Hannah J Paul
2007-08-18 17:31:52
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answer #4
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answered by Hannah J Paul 7
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"‘You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole strength and with your whole mind,’ and, ‘your neighbor as yourself.’" -- Luke 10:27
"I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves.”" -- John 13:34,35
"They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world." -- John 17:16
Our love for God and for our neighbors and also because we are not part of the world motivates us not to participate to wars. Jesus said that LOVE will be an important characteristic of the true Christians.
There are cases when for example someone comes into your house and tries to harm you. In this case you have to defend yourself. Or if at the time of childbirth a choice must be made between the life of the mother and that of the child, it is up to the individuals concerned to make that choice.
For more information go to:
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2005/1/1/article_02.htm
http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/1998/7/8/article_01.htm
http://www.jw-media.org/vnr/5263723221/62734221.htm
2007-08-18 18:18:55
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answer #5
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answered by Alex 5
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What do you think the apostle paul or John will do.... well exactly the same we will do.....
Jesus could use his power to kill everybody the night he was arrested and he didn´t , was he stupid?? or coward...?
You don´t need to kill anybody to stop that , we had oportunity during the Nazi prosecution we used to razor our prosecutors and we didn´t use that to revenge from them, look in google triangle purple and see how we were devastated and we never use the force to defeat our attackers.
you should see the bible study we have today based on Romans 12:21 "Do not let yourself be conquered by the evil, but keep conquering the evil with the good. "
in my case if I shoot I will do it in a foot or in an arm, but will try not to kill him.
2007-08-18 17:24:44
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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Given the Chance..
I would have to use " My Fists Of Fury"..
You leave me No Other Choice.
2007-08-18 17:39:51
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answer #7
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answered by conundrum 7
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i sure as hell hope he would bust a cap in him. i don't care what religion you are, if you didn't bust a cap in him for that, you're a coward and might as well have been raping the girl yourself.
2007-08-18 17:31:20
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answer #8
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answered by jeff f 2
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I'd certainly knock on his door bigtime!
2007-08-18 17:27:06
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answer #9
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answered by Anonymous
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I am not sure on the WBTS teaching on this issue as of now, but....when I was a Witness, you could blow the sob away
I am no longer a witness...(Thank you Lord)
http://freeminds.org
2007-08-18 17:22:09
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answer #10
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answered by Anonymous
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