I heard that this guy wont vote for a president cause Jesus didnt come to establish any laws or something. he's a jehovas' witness and wont vote cause of that, like "well he didnt come to put in any laws or whatever".
Now I know what atheists would say as I am one. But I wanna know what do you think of it? Do you think its a cheap excuse to not vote?
2007-12-10 08:35:58 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Technically, Jehovah's Witnesses can vote (see The Watchtower of November 1, 1999, pages 28,29). Almost uniformly, however, they choose not to.
They 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.
Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/20040401/
http://jw-media.org/edu_videos/vcfi_e.htm
http://jw-media.org/edu_videos/vcut_e.htm
http://jw-media.org/vnr/5263723221/22812301.htm
2007-12-12 06:30:11 · answer #1 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If we acknowledging this guy's freedom of religion then, yes, this is a good reason for him and other Jehovah's Witnesses not to vote.
This is not the belief of all people of faith.
The Catholic Chruch teaches:
Christians reside in their own nations, but as resident aliens. They participate in all things as citizens (including voting) and endure all things as foreigners. They obey the established laws and their way of life surpasses the laws.
However the citizen is obliged in conscience not to follow the directives of civil authorities when they are contrary to the demands of the moral order, to the fundamental rights of persons or the teachings of the Gospel.
We must obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29)
For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 2240-2242: http://www.nccbuscc.org/catechism/text/pt3sect2chpt2.htm#2240
With love in Christ.
2007-12-18 06:46:36 · answer #2 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it isn't. I am a Chrisitan, one of Jehovah's Witnesses. The Bible tells us the whole world is ruled by Satan. Why get involved in his system???
Doesn't mean we don't have opinions on things, or just don't want to vote. Often there are insentives given for voting, if it was simply a matter of convienence we probably would vote.
I am often surprised when people get mad at me for not voting, when supposedly, I live in a "free country".
Keep in mind, just as we don't pick sides "for America" we also don't choose against America, regardless of the country we reside in.
EDIT
One more query, is it right for someone to vote/be pushed to vote, if NONE of the candidates are satisfactory for them??
2007-12-10 14:59:51 · answer #3 · answered by Ish Var Lan Salinger 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As I understand, this is a long-standing belief of this church. The history related to the courageous souls who adhered to this belief is long and very disturbing. Many JW were imprisoned by the Nazi's in concentration camps during WWII. And they were terrorized, beaten and imprisoned in Cameroon in the 1900's when they refused to participate in elections. The JW governing body seems to be softening the firm convictions against voting, however. Many people suffer great abuse for standing up for what they believe in.
They are not the only religious sect choosing not to participate in governmental actions. Amish have traditionally chosen not to vote or engage in military service until recently.
This "guy" you heard appears to be expressing his personal conviction based on his and his churches interpretation of Scripture. I hardly think, as a Christian, that whether I personally agree with this man's interpretation of Scriptures or not, I would characterize his staunch adherence to what he believes is right as "a cheap excuse." I doubt he is that shallow. Although I do not share his belief, I admire his ability to stand strong in the face of a tide of common practise that is in opposition to his choices.
2007-12-10 09:09:28 · answer #4 · answered by heartintennessee 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Honestly, I can't explain the JW's belief on this. But as a Christian, it is imperative that I vote. Jesus came to fulfill the law, and that He did. By Him fulfilling the law, He established it.
2007-12-10 08:40:24 · answer #5 · answered by n9wff 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have a friend who is a JW, and know several others, and I have never heard of any of them voting. One of the rules of their religion is not getting involved in politics in any way. They also refuse to salute the flag, take the oath of allegiance or join the military.
Doing any of these things can get them excommunicated, or disfellowshipped as they call it, from their religion, and shunned by other JWs.
2007-12-10 08:56:05 · answer #6 · answered by Trevor S 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think that's foolish. Jesus didn't make laws. He accepted Cesar as the ruler. He had religious laws.
I'll vote when I'm old enough because I want my rights and the rights of others, etc., protected.
2007-12-10 08:39:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think it is funny when people think it is wrong to not vote...or that it is unpatriotic. The thing is...you have a right to vote...and you have a right not to vote. If there are no candidates that I want to vote for...why is that wrong?
Oh, and I also love the...well if you don't vote then you can't complain. LOL. That one is hilarious too.
2007-12-10 08:42:51 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't really understand what this guy means. So yeah I think it's a cheap excuse to not vote. But it may not be an excuse it may just be what he thinks or believes.
2007-12-10 08:38:51 · answer #9 · answered by sports fan 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
JW's believe that the only government that will solve problems is god's kingdom, so they refuse to vote. They can get disfellowshipped from their congregation if they get involved in politics in any way.
I personally believe that the religion does that to keep their sheep ignorant. It doesn't bother me any, though. It just means less republican votes.
2007-12-10 08:39:52 · answer #10 · answered by Nea 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋