How do Jehovahs Witnesses justify not praying for troops in Iraq?

Question

I know that they dont acknowledge the war or politics, but why dont they ask for protection for the people risking their lives?

alright, maybe "acknowledge" wasnt the right word. I guess I was trying to say they dont get involved in matters of the war.

Answer 1

Consider the following expressions:

We are only 12 years old. We can't influence politics and the war, but we want to live! We wait for peace. Will we live to see it?'
—A class of fifth-grade schoolchildren

'We want to attend school and to visit our friends and family without fear of abduction. I hope the government will listen. We want a better life. We want peace.'
—Alhaji, age 14

What is involved when people go to war?

Ultimately, it is hatred and greed rather than bullets and rifles that fuel the flames of war. Covetousness, or greediness, is a fundamental cause of war, and hatred frequently leads to violence. To uproot these destructive feelings, people need to change the way they think. They need to be educated in the ways of peace. Thus, the ancient prophet Isaiah realistically states that war will cease only when people 'do not learn war anymore.'—Isaiah 2:4.

However, at present we live in a world that teaches adults and children, not the value of peace, but the glory of war. Sadly, even children are being trained to kill.

Lasting peace can never be established while people are learning to kill. Many centuries ago, the prophet Isaiah wrote: "If only you would actually pay attention to [God's] commandments! Then your peace would become just like a river." (Isaiah 48:17, 18) When people acquire accurate knowledge about God's Word and learn to love God's law, violence and war become repulsive to them. Adults can also learn to overcome hatred and greed. Jehovah's Witnesses have discovered time and again that God's Word has the power to change personalities.—Hebrews 4:12.

God has the will and the means to preserve lasting peace. Jesus has every confidence in this promise. That is why he taught his followers to pray for God's Kingdom to come and for God's will to be done on earth. (Matthew 6:9, 10) When that sincere request is finally answered, war will never again blight the surface of the earth.

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Matt. 26:52 "Then Jesus said to him: “Return your sword to its place, for all those who take the sword will perish by the sword." (Could there have been any higher cause for which to fight than to safeguard the Son of God? Yet, Jesus here indicated that those disciples wer not to resort to weapons of physical warfare.)

Luke 6:27-29a “But I say to you who are listening, Continue to love your enemies, to do good to those hating you, to bless those cursing you, to pray for those who are insulting you. To him that strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also."
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Jehovah's Witnesses are neutral.
They do not interfere with what others do about sharing in patriotic ceremonies, serving in the armed forces, joining a political party, running for a political office, or voting. But they themselves worship only Jehovah, the God of the Bible; they have dedicated their lives unreservedly to him and give their full support to his Kingdom.

However, this does not mean that Jehovah's Witnesses are not interested in the welfare of their neighbors. They know well and conscientiously endeavor to apply the command repeated by Jesus: "You must love your neighbor as yourself." (Matt. 22:39) Also the counsel recorded by the apostle Paul "Let us work what is good toward all, but especially those related to us in the faith." (Gal. 6:10) They have been convinced that the greatest good they can do for their neighbors is to share with them the good news of God's Kingdom, which will lastingly solve all the problems facing mankind and which opens up to those who embrace it the marvelous prospect of eternal life.
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Considering the above: Would God be on one side and not the other? Or would he want peace for both? One side is praying for their troops to succeed, while the other is doing the same. Does God hear both prayers, and thus fights against himself? Or does he know that one day, only his Kingdom will bring everlasting peace?

Answer 2

I believe they don't because they believe that the war in Iraq is not part of Jehovah's plan. One shouldn't go to war so those who have are not following Jehovah's plan. Instead of praying for protection for the people risking their lives they would instead pray for those people to open their hearts to Jehovah.

Answer 3

Hi Sweet Tiff,

The same way many people justify things for the sake of "God" or "Religion". They take it out of context to serve their purpose at the time.
How many times have you heard from someone who is mad and wronged by someone else: "An eye for an eye".

This works the same way for those that blame Soldiers for war, when Soldiers only go to war when their Government sends them. They just understand that freedom is never paid for, that it must be earned over and over again. When someone says "why", they are in effect saying it's ok for someone to come shoot them and take what they have. Don't say why, say what can I do! Maybe that is not on the front line with a rifle in your hand, however freedom is earned over again in many ways.

If someone does not like what we are doing, change the law, change the politicians, protest to those that can change things, however honor our Soldiers.

On the same hand, if you don't want to recognize war because your religion says so. "Then pray for peace", "Understanding" and "Love for all Life". Pray that the terrorists find in their harts that God does not want them to kill in his name, or in their name!!!

Answer 4

As my brother said, we have Witnesses in Iraq as well. So it would be inappropriate for us to pray for any side.
We cast our vote for God's kingdom and Daniel 2:44 says that it will destroy all other kingdoms on the earth. So our allegiance to God and His government demands that we take a neutral stand with regard to any political government here now.
Jesus said we would be known by the love we have among ourselves, how loving would killing our brother be? (John 13:34,35)

No justification needed, we simply will not go to war or pray for those who do. If everyone took the same stand there would be no war.
We do feel for our fellow man who is suffering that is why we go door to door to preach as Jesus commanded to at Matt. 28:19,20 about the Good News of God's Kingdom under rulership of Christ our King.

EDIT: I spoke in haste and stand corrected by Debbie 2, for we do pray for all wars to cease and for the peace that God's kingdom assures us of. Thank you my sister for bringing that out, and reminding me.

Answer 5

idk.... probably the same reasons they justifly not celebrating birthdays or national holidays and also allowing children to suffer and die by saying transplants and blood transfusions are evil.

The bible says the life is in the blood (Leviticus) yes, but erm, you're not supposed to eat it. It says nothing about transfusions being evil. That verse is used out of context. If God created the minds of men to be able to realise and discover those things which lead towards medical advancements, then erm.... they don't count as sin. *sighs*

Whatever. I think that there are a ton praying for the troops; so a few less people that refuse to won't change the outcome. God cares about the troops, even if JW's do not.
Although i will say, if the family member of a JW was over in Iraq... erm, you had better believe the JW would be praying nonstop for them.

♥
*sighs* his name is Yhwh. Yah (Jah) not Jehovah, but you can call him that. He'll still answer you.

*edit* and war is a part of life unfortunately. So, i think God who is Sovereign would care very much about the lives of the people on both sides, and would care if innocent people died, even if he was not necessarily a supporter of the war.

*edit* Ah yes nerdy, there's one in your family too isn't there? *sighs* ;)

Answer 6

This is actually the one thing I admire the JWs for. Jesus clearly spoke against violence as a way of solving anything, and urged people to turn the other cheek, and to give up one's cloak rather than fight about it.

I've never bought into the whole "you don't have to support the war to support the troops" shpiel. People with those made in China ribbons on their car are doing so to show their support of their politicians, and not engaging in any sort of gesture of support for any actual soldier.

Its the same thing - I largely think - for those praying for soldiers. Other than those who have actual family serving, I suspect most people praying for soldiers are actually praying for the successful realization of their government's foreign policy by military means, and not for any actual soldier anywhere.

Answer 7

Your prayers are proper to Jehovah in the event that they are from a honest coronary heart. No particular words are necessary or particular place (even nonetheless a lot of people discover bowing their heads, or kneeling -whilst in deepest - a installation reminder of their humble place related to the Almighty). you do no longer choose any "particular words" in the previous or after yet bear in mind Jesus stated that we can ask (handle Jehovah) in his (Jesus) call so we could desire to talk that the prayer is "by using Jesus" or "in Jesus call" or any expression that makes it sparkling which you're chatting with God because of the ransom of his son. talk to Jehovah as you're able to a cherished father, merely say what's on your ideas and on your coronary heart. Use your individual words (Jesus stated to no longer memorize an analogous words and repeat them with the help of rote); ask your self, how do you talk on your Father (or mom)? What words do you utilize once you talk on your suitable buddy? instruct appreciate (no "hello Jehovah, how're you going?" it is not respectful) yet no could desire to be OVERLY formal. Reminders *handle God with the help of his call "Jehovah" *bear in mind the substantial issues: God's Kingdom, his objective, the vindication of his call *don't be selfish: remebmer others, *be humble: rembember we are all sinners it is going to help perchance to study (to no longer memorize just to work out how its executed) some prayers in the bible: Hezekiah prayer 2 Kings 19: 14-19 Solomons temple prayer Kings 8:22-fifty 3 The Apostle's prayer for help Acts 4: 24 - 29 finally, that's a superb area of be waiting to handle Our Maker, it is our greater advantageous privilege. save working at it and you will delight in no longer in easy terms being waiting to speak to Jehovah yet experience his solutions touch your existence!

Answer 8

not supposed to be divisions among people..we are all supposed to be a united brotherhood serving the One God Jehovah.

We could never pick up any weapon and kill a brother.

But I do pray that the young men will not perish and that they stop all wars and everyone everywhere lays down their weapons and learn war no more.
The slaughter for any political reason is wrong.

Answer 9

Any Jehovah's Witness might choose to pray that God's will be done concerning the troops in Iraq. Would the questioner argue against God's will?

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/20000301/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/19960715/article_02.htm

Answer 10

I don't know anything about them...sorry darlin...