In case you’re wondering, there is some actual data behind all of this. Homosexuality is not acceptable. 1 to 376 —Ratio of Jehovah's Witnesses to population. Though they appreciate the freedoms afforded them in many of the world’s democracies, and though they are swift to take advantage of legal means to protect and advance their causes, they have faith that all governments will collectively be dismantled by God in the near future. The con knows there is no hell. 25,540,000 —Population. Followers believe their allegiance belongs to God alone, who runs an actual government in heaven. Updated at 12:25 p.m. (Colossians 3:​14; 1 Peter 2:​17) In contrast, religions that meddle in politics divide their members.​—1 Corinthians 1:​10,” they said. If Jehovah’s Witnesses Could Vote, Which Party Would They Support? That might have spared them the arrests and harassment levied against protesters . And the Lord of heaven will ask. Norway vote winner to start coalition talks with climate focus . We believe that the Bible gives solid reasons for following this course. Many Jehovahs Witnesses have been killed by hostile governments for not complying to orders that directly contravened God`s laws. Voting Jehovah's Witnesses are known to be politically neutral and for refusing to vote. The treatment of women, child abuse and how to prevent being visited by followers of the religion are among topics confronted by ex-member. Fully documented with photocopies of statements from rare Watchtower publications, this book reveals many facts the Watchtower Society tries to hide from Jehovah's Witnesses and investigators of this religion.Click HERE to purchase a hard copy of this book for $9.99 / or Kindle for $2.99. (105) Consider other religious beliefs as valid and truthful. Jehovah's Witnesses say they will join the national redress scheme for child sexual abuse survivors, with government urging the group to contact officials. (3) Associate with people outside their organization when it is not necessary. Get our FREE Newsletters and special offers! I believe it has much to say about Jehovah God and His requirements for eternal life. Therefore, the rationale for nearly all our viewpoints was predicated on the religion. However, they have been easy targets for many . Ex-Jehovah's witness reveals secrets of religious group. To enjoy our website, you'll need to enable JavaScript in your web browser. They are not interested in partisan politics. There are over eight million Jehovah's Witnesses in 240 countries worldwide. Satan holds sway over all governments and nations. than 70,000 Witnesses in Australia. The Bible advises modesty. If they leaned conservative prior to joining the Witnesses, they are likely to continue in that mindset if they leave the religion. It’s just less evil than the other evil,” said Price, who leads Crenshaw Christian Center, in a response to a question from his social media followers on “How should Christians vote?”. This is because this is his world!” Pack said. Jehovah's Witnesses are mostly known in Australia as suburban door-knockers. Aug 13, 2021. David C. Pack, pastor general of The Restored Church of God, has also made the case on his website for Christians to not vote, noting that, “Christ would not vote, because He understands the origin of the governments of this world and who is behind them. But, pressing further, a few people have asked if Witnesses are generally conservative or liberal. Answer (1 of 4): Mark Jones, gives you a mix of truth and untruth about why JW's don't vote. Jehovah's Witnesses are a people of faith that many of us likely don't know that much about. Often, when I’ve delivered presentations about my former religion, attendees ask about the political bent of Witnesses. Support this work for $1 a month. For example, when I was in eighth grade, I brought home an assignment from my American Government class. They grew out of an American Protestant Bible study group established by Charles Taze Russell in the early 1870s. In this file photo, election workers await voters during a lull at a polling station at Sleepy Hollow Elementary School in Falls Church, Virginia, November 4, 2008. Indeed, that is how most of the former Witnesses that I know do vote. Neither my parents nor I could think of one. The Jehovah's Witness church in Australia failed to report more than 1,000 alleged child sex abusers to the police, an inquiry into child abuse hears. A former Jehovah's Witness in Australia is scheduled to appear in court this week to face charges that he sexually abused four teenage boys between 1993 and 2013, according to a news report.. 'A NATIONAL NUISANCE': (REVISITING) BANNING JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES IN AUSTRALIA DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR Dr Jayne Persian University of Southern Queensland Jehovah's Witness in Australia: 1985-2000 Active member of JW Discussion Forum: 2000-2005 BA (Hons) thesis 2005 'A National Nuisance': The Banning of Jehovah's Witnesses in Australia in 1941, Flinders Journal of History . Members of this faith have deep religious convictions against accepting homologous or autologous whole blood, packed red blood cells (RBCs), white . Still, they view war itself as a fulfillment of biblical prophecy (“Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom” — Matthew 24:7). They then proceed to challenge the fine on the grounds of being against religious beliefs, and are excused the fine. Send Us News, Gist, more... to citypeopleng@gmail.com | Based on the Christian Bible, the Jehovah's Witnesses faith is known for proselytizing and their expectations that the world soon will end. The case is significant because it stems from an ongoing investigation by the Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, which found that Jehovah's Witnesses do . “Three times in the gospel of John, Christ Himself refers to Satan the devil as ‘the prince of this world.’ John 12:31, 16:11 and 14:30 make plain that in the future the ‘prince of this world’ will be judged because, as Christ says in 14:30, the devil ‘has nothing in Me.’ Take time to read these verses. John 12:31 parallels the judgment of this world with Satan’s coming judgment. A BUSY RELIGION As of 2010, there are over 7 million active Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide, spending . . How the Jehovah's Witnesses 'broke' my family. “We don’t pledge allegiance to a national icon,” Robert Hendriks, U.S. spokesman for the Jehovah’s Witnesses, told The San Diego Union-Tribune in a recent interview. Exactly half said they didn’t know. Price said he would still vote in the upcoming presidential election. (102) State or imply that the Watchtower is not run by Jehovah God. Considering that Jehovah's Witnesses have so many rules, one would do well to consider For the entire Law has been fulfilled in one commandment, namely 'You must love your neighbor as yourself.'Galatians 5:14 when reviewing them. I mention that they don’t vote. Friendly Atheist. Jehovah's Witnesses say they will join the national redress scheme for child sexual abuse survivors, with government urging the group to contact officials. 69,146 —Ministers who teach the Bible. (125) Believe or say anything superstitious, (132) Combat training, boxing, or martial arts, (133) Go to heaven unless they are part of the 144,000, (135) Idolize any celebrity or love and admire them to excess, (137) Women can’t be ministerial servants (assistants to the elders). Aug 13, 2021. Christian Author Who Says Atheists “Accidentally Prove God Exists" Is All Wrong, "HAPPY HALLOWEEN! They do believe in a heaven and the hope of going there. See Dress Code, (97) Wear pants at a Kingdom Hall if you’re a woman, (98) Wear revealing clothes or skirts that are too short (looked down upon), (99) Wear long hair or facial hair if you’re a man (depends on the local customs of the country you live in). “With a cheerful smile, I will explain to my unbelieving neighbor why my allegiance to Jesus set me at odds with death — death by abortion and death by arrogance.”. (50) Study psychology, philosophy, sociology, and viewpoints that might shake their faith, (57) Dating someone without the intent of getting married, (59) Breaking an engagement, separation, and ‘unscriptural’ divorce may result in disciplinary action, (60) Marriage to non believers is not recommended. While a number of Christian leaders have openly debated whether abstaining from voting in the upcoming presidential election is a valid option, for 1.3 million Jehovah's Witnesses in America, choosing not to vote is what they believe Jesus would do. We as Jehovah's witness . . Then, the fulfillment of God's kingdom will occur and Christ will return to rule. Influential Christian leader and theologian John Piper sparked debate after sharing his personal choice to not vote for either of the candidates of the two major political parties this election cycle. But for Lara, who has left the religion, the practice of shunning has destroyed . Jehovah’s Witnesses opt not to vote, believe it's what Jesus would do. The Pew Research Center found in 2014 that 75% of Witnesses would identify as Independent. : The Redemption of a Devout Jehovah’s Witness, refusal to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, Scamvangelist: God Gave Me a Private ...". No matter how grave the problem, even a crime such as sexual . The world will ask. Join over 250,000 others to get the top stories curated daily, plus special offers! (3) Associate with people outside their organization when it is not necessary. The Sydney women spent decades of their life living in a bubble where they were told what to think, say and do and the consequences for disobedience were life altering. Psalm 118;6.."Jehovah is on my side, I shall not fear. It happens every election according to the sources quoted today by John Laws on radio. Accommodation Rules One Should Follow. While “the act of voting is not a problem,” for members of the Christian sect that boast adherents such as tennis greats Venus and Serena Williams, “the act of voting for a particular political candidate or issue would be a problem,” Hendriks explained. In Australia you are allowed to not vote for religious/conscience reasons. While Witnesses have been permitted by group leaders, it hasn't been explicitly encouraged by them. (106) Acknowledge any prayer spoken by a non believer as valid, (107) Take another Jehovah’s Witness to court (with exceptions), (112) Believe in miracles (except those found in the Bible), (117) Consult with a psychic or become one, (118) Study tarot cards, get a reading or give a reading, (120) Dabble in ESP (extrasensory perception), dowsing, or divination, (121)Use a tool such as a pendulum to access information from the spiritual realm. “I will be asked to give an account of my devotion to this life-giving calling. Or perhaps the thousands of Witnesses living in states with close results in 2016 could have tipped the tally in favor of someone qualified for office. You should live with fellow Jehovah's Witnesses only. At the very end of a long article describing the various . Jehovah's Witnesses — with 1.3 million members in the U.S. who hand out brochures on sidewalks and subway platforms and ring doorbells — are one of the most visible religious groups in the . Below are 10 facts about this group which branched off from orthodox Christianity in the late 1800's. We answer the questions of how they got their start, what their core beliefs are, and how many people ascribe to this faith in the world today below. I would write "As one of Jehovah's Witnesses my bible trained conscience does not allow me to take part in the . High religiosity in political candidates and office-holders causes nervousness among Witnesses because they know they don’t belong to any nation’s predominant religion, and they know that those who push their religion hardest into the public sphere are the ones most likely to restrict the freedoms of religious minorities, Witnesses included. Here are the 140 things Jehovah Witnesses can't do: JEHOVAH WITNESSES CAN'T: (1) Belong to another organization or club for the purpose of socializing with nonbelievers. I was surprised by them that he actual informed you corre. Perhaps, if the thousands of Floridian Witnesses had been allowed to vote in 2000, that state’s electoral outcome might have been known within hours of the polls closing, instead of devolving into the mess it became. This is important, because, like telemarketers or any solicitor, they are not likely to accept the first, "no" and will do their best to reengage you. We do not lobby, vote for political parties or candidates, run for government office, or participate in any action to change governments. (63) Get divorced unless the reason is adultery, (64) Can’t remarry unless their ex commits fornication first. I would be interested in learning more about what you have to offer, but I don't feel comfortable having people I don't know in my home. (139) Greet or talk with disfellowshipped persons (with some exceptions), (140) Associate with disfellowshipped persons except for immediate family living in the same house. 5. They refuse to serve in the military, as they feel all wars are simply one pawn of Satan fighting another pawn of Satan, and believe it would be hypocritical to engage in combat against another Witness since they are all united under God’s one true government. Another aspect to consider is the person’s life prior to becoming a Witness. Times) 'The act of voting is not a problem, but the act of voting for a particular . demands Biden halt Afghan resettlement in his state after evacuee is charged with rape, Biden State Dept. Jehovah's Witnesses opt not to vote, believe it's what Jesus would do. Any Jehovah's Witness that openly participates in politics and also exercises his electoral rights by voting for a candidate of his choice probably has left the sect otherwise, if found out, he could be suspended or dismissed . Perhaps, if the thousands of Floridian Witnesses had been allowed to vote in 2000, that state's electoral outcome might have been known within hours of the polls closing, instead of devolving into the mess it became. “When I consider the remote possibility that I might do any good by endorsing the devastation already evident in the two choices before me, I am loath to undermine my calling (and the church’s mission) to stand for Christ-exalting faith and hope and love,” Piper wrote. (87) Partake in the bread and wine that represents Christ unless they are part of the 144,000, (92) Do suggestive and immodest dancing in a public place, (93) Attend a class, workshop, or seminar, sponsored by another church 94.Attend social events or fund raisers sponsored by another church, (95) Use of bad language (curse words) is discouraged, (96) Wear blue jeans, shorts, and overly casual clothing at the Kingdom Hall. For Jehovah's Witnesses, the act of voting goes against what Jesus would have done (Claire Collins/L.A. I have an interest in Jehovah's Witnesses and I have a lot of respect for the Bible. Jehovah's Witnesses are mostly known in Australia as suburban door-knockers. I remember that first year after I'd left the Jehovah's Witness faith. Do you know that you’re still voting for evil? (42) Go to the school prom or school dance. Why? There is hope for the dead. However, Witnesses have been permitted to use the Covid-19 vaccines as they do not involve direct blood contact. ... Want more from the Friendly Atheist? Do you want award-winning journalism with a, DOJ reaches $88M settlement with survivors, families of 9 killed in mass shooting at Emanuel AME Church, ‘My heart is broke’: Daughter of slain California pastor delivers stirring message of forgiveness and faith, Portland first in nation to offer bereavement leave for employees who get an abortion, Biden admin. It was a Witness whose refusal to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance in school eventually led to a Supreme Court decision making that optional. -, 2023: Group Throws Weight Behind Asiwaju's Presidential Bid -, How I Got My Big Break In Photography - Award Winning Photographer,Yemi Disu -, Celebrating Veteran Actress,Olufunke Ayeni,Member,Elders Council of TAMPAN USA -, 141 Things JEHOVAH Witness Member Can’t Do, MOPELOLA FAMUYIWA Emerges NEW President Of ABEOKUTA…, What Pastor IBIYEOMIE & Apostle CHIBUZOR Have…, How City People Honoured 42 Young Entrepreneurs…, African King Of Raggae Majek Fashek Dies…, HRH Olugbo visits Jimoh Ibrahim, inspects ongoing…, How Baba ADEDIBU Suspended NPN National Chairman,…, How RIVERS Journalist’s Head Was Shaved With…, England Launches New Life-Saving Drug For Sickle…, Nigerian author, Uri Ngozichukwuka makes case for…, One-On-One With Queen Abosede (Tessy Sho),CEO Of…, How FRSC Invested In Human Capacity, ICT…, HOW SIJIBOMI OGUNDELE (SUJIMOTO) RUNS HIS $400…, Why Many Southwest PDP Members Are Angry…, Tinubu Praises Lagos Speaker Obasa, Says He’s…, Dr. DOYIN OKUPE Reveals His Biggest Regret……, Asiwaju TINUBU’s Biggest Headache Revealed. His first three paragraphs were very good as well as the first sentence in the fourth . Eliza Relman Oct. 23, 2020, 6:56 AM. However, the movement has some very stringent rules the members have to adhere to. Jehovah's Witness members have been imprisoned in many countries for their refusal of conscription or compulsory military service. “We pledge allegiance to God’s kingdom.”. Several countries have such a compulsory voting - like Greece, Belgium and Australia. Among the questions on the worksheet asked students to name at least one member of the House of Representatives from our home state of Minnesota. (141) Keep secrets from the organization. Thankfully, this woman was married to a non-Witness, and he supplied the name of one of our Reps. 13. God does not need men’s votes to elevate His choice to higher office. The Banning of Jehovah's Witnesses in Australia in 1941 In 1941, during the Second World War, the Menzies Government banned Jehovah's Witnesses, giving them the distinction of being the only Christian sect to be banned in Australia during the twentieth century. (138) Divulge secret information to enemies and those not entitled to know. It would be the first time in Australia that the Jehovah's Witnesses organisation has defended sexual abuse allegations in court. (3) Associate with people outside their organization when it is not necessary. (2) Have best friends and activity buddies who are not Jehovah’s Witnesses. - To vote in a public election was on my to do list when I left Jehovah's Witnesses. Two former Jehovah's Witness elders have called for mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse, saying the organisation believes it is "answerable only to God". He knows that political elections corrupt people, and He cannot work in a process where men must corrupt themselves in order to rise. Jehovah’s Witnesses are politically neutral. What can earthling man do to me". Or, at least, they’re supposed to be. Although few Witnesses vote, since 1999 it is technically a conscience matter. While a number of Christian leaders have openly debated whether abstaining from voting in the upcoming presidential election is a valid option, for 1.3 million Jehovah’s Witnesses in America, choosing not to vote is what they believe Jesus would do. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, A Dogged Fighter for... Afrobeats Or Afrobeat, Tiwa Savage Really Doesn’t... How Your Pillows Are Affecting Your Health... Don’t Be Fooled Instagram Pictures – Tonto... No Accreditation, No Voting In Kogi, Bayelsa Polls – INEC. But they do not disobey governments in matters such as civil obedience, paying taxes and obeying registration and traffic laws. Claiming that people must "come to Jehovah's organization for salvation," 1. the Watchtower Society places great pressure on Jehovah's Witnesses to perform according to their guidelines. Jehovah's Witnesses practice no official charitable works for the general public; they have no soup kitchens, no homeless shelters, no shelters for battered women, no educational programs that help people get back into the job market, and don't even have clothing bins where the homeless can find discarded clothes and blankets.