Political Neutrality Among Jehovahs Witnesses

Jehovah's Witnesses advocate a strict neutrality with regard to the policy of nations and their governmental institutions and military they call this position the Christian neutrality. They proclaim a message globally that they believe is based on the Bible , announcing that the kingdom of God is the only way to achieve peace, prosperity and happiness. Because of this belief , they claim to be neutral with respect to conflicts between nations and military service.

The Jehovah's Witnesses neutrality define Christianity as the state of those in conflict do not take a position for one or other of the parties. For them, neutrality is synonymous with non-interference in public affairs: refusal to participate in patriotic ceremonies, serving in the armed forces, to join political parties, campaign-level policy or vote for a candidate or political party. According to them, history would attest that the Christians of the ^first century have sought to remain strictly neutral in the factional fighting and think to follow in the footsteps of these faithful devoted exclusively to the worship of Jehovah, which he said they had devoted their lives without reservation .

They claim that their position of neutrality, like their other practices and doctrines , has a scriptural basis. In this regard, they are used to relate the words of Jesus Christ , whose supporters assert, contained in the Gospel according to John 17:14-16:

"I have given them your word, but the world has hated them because they are not part of the world, as I am not part of the world. I ask you not to withdraw from the world, but to watch over them because of the wicked. They are not part of the world, as I am not part of the world. "

Reasons for this neutrality

The Jehovah's Witnesses put forward several reasons why they stand apart from the world :

• They believe that the world today, with its society and its institutions of government, military, commercial and religious, are under the control of Satan , which was presented by Jesus as "the ruler of this world" according to the Gospel of John 14: 30 . They think that the direction the world was given to Satan by God himself for a time, spanning millennia, after the challenge that this angel once loyal launched on the sovereignty of Jehovah . So, they argue that whatever the faction that someone may well argue, it will still actually trying to support the enemy of God. To justify their claims, they use this respect several verses in the Bible .

• Having devoted their lives to Jehovah , which they devote an exclusive attachment, they can not engage in practices that characterize the world around them. Accordingly, a Jehovah's Witness can not devote his life to a cause profane. According to them, it is not compatible with the adoration they lend only to Jehovah, or with the support they give to the Kingdom of God or the theocracy they consider to be the only solution for Humanity, stating that all remaining political governments, even those with good intentions, are doomed to failure and will disappear with the current system of things, Armageddon.

• They see themselves as disciples of Jesus and subjects of the Kingdom of God. They note that before Pontius Pilate , Jesus said what is reported in the Gospel according to John 18:36:

  "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom belonged to this world, my servants would fight, that I may not be delivered to the Jews. But now my kingdom is not here. "

  They also note that from the beginning to the end of his ministry, Jesus preached the "gospel of the kingdom" and announced that she would be proclaimed by his disciples until the end of the 'system of things'. However, for them, only the Kingdom of God can solve all the problems of humanity; seek further support would be considered by the religious movement as a betrayal and a lack of loyalty. The Jehovah's Witnesses present themselves as ambassadors of the Kingdom of God and claim to be as "temporary residents" in the world today .

• They are neutral in world affairs also because of their relationships with their co-religionists, because they must demonstrate the love between them, based on John 13:35 and 1 John 3:14. Yet this love does not manifest itself only to members of the local congregation of everyone, but to "the whole community of brothers in the world" as 1 Peter 5:9. For Jehovah's Witnesses , this love is demonstrated by the fact that they strive to practice the verse from Isaiah 2:4:

"They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. For nation shall not lift up sword against nation, and they learn war any more. "

Effects of the teaching

Submission to governments on

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that they must be submitted in a relative way to "higher authorities" mentioned in Romans 13:1. However, identification of these authorities has changed over time : To Russell , it was government policy , in contrast, Rutherford (from 1929 ) , the term was God, Jesus and the leaders of the organization, while for Knorr (since 1966 ), were indeed the political powers which he had to submit all remaining neutral . These successive changes of views are disparaged by critics of the religious organization ^, .

Although they believe that all human governments are controlled by Satan , the Jehovah's Witnesses recognize that this only happens by divine permission for a certain period of time only before it is removed to their Armageddon. Thus, they use the Bible to define their position of submission and obedience to government laws. Nevertheless, such obedience is considered by them as on as they do recognize the absolute authority of Jehovah, whose will is according to them only in the Bible. Thus, they refuse to obey a human law that would conflict with the biblical laws as they understand . To justify its position, the religious movement has the habit of quoting various biblical verses such as Romans 13:1-2, 7, Matthew 5:41, Titus 3:1, 1 Peter 2:13, 14, Mark 12:17 , Acts 4:19, 20, 5:27-29, and refer to two examples left by the faithful in the Bible : that of the four young Hebrews in exile in Babylon who refused the customs of the country that were contrary to their faith (Book of Daniel) and that of the apostles of Jesus in the ^first century who stopped by the Jewish leaders were ordered to stop preaching. They are aware that their position is controversial and therefore expect difficulties but believe that God will sustain them.

The text of Acts 5:29 was the text of the annual movement in 2006 , displayed on the stands of all the Kingdom Halls around the world. This text says:

"We must obey God in his capacity as ruler rather than men . "

Position in different areas

Politics

The Jehovah's Witnesses must stay away from political participation. They can not join a political party, even if it is mandatory in some countries, they have often given rise to persecution, as in Malawi during the 1970s . A faithful can not stand as a candidate for any political election or risk of excommunication .

Moreover, Jehovah's Witnesses teach that the UN is the "image of the beast" mentioned in Revelation 13:1-18 and is the realization of "the unclean thing causing desolation" set forth by Jesus in Matthew 24:15 . No believer can not support this organization. However, critics of the religious movement showed that it was affiliated with the United Nations (UN) for about ten years (see a breach of neutrality: affiliation with the UN ).

Vote

When voting in political elections, the Jehovah's Witnesses are not involved in the rights of others on this, nor do any campaign against political elections. For many years the faithful have the obligation to abstain from voting. They feel they have voted once and for all to Jehovah , and would vote to trust the solutions made by men. Thus, the Jehovah's Witnesses have even been martyred for the application of this doctrine , such as the Philippines . This denial of voting, however, was criticized by some who believe that the Watchtower Society violated human rights by depriving the members of the organization's most fundamental rights ^, .

However, since 1999 , the direction of movement has reminded the faithful of the territory French they are required to be registered on the electoral list, which led to a massive influx of applications in the prefectures, such as by addition Mer. Similarly, they can now go to the polls, even when the law does not oblige. In France , a letter was read during services at the approach of day votes in 2006 to announce to the faithful that no sanctions will be taken against those who would go to the polls, and that it to each individual to decide what he will follow his conscience based on the Bible. In principle, we must vote white.

Payment of taxes

In its literature, the Watchtower Society teaches its followers that they must scrupulously pay their taxes, and whatever the political system in which they are located. It bases its position on the words of Jesus, who said he must "make things of Caesar to Caesar the things of God but God" (Mark 12:17). The journals of the religious movement often cite publications praising their conduct in this area . Where a tax seems unfair or part thereof is used to finance something with which they disagree (such as free abortion or purchase of military equipment), they must still pay the full their taxes.

Yet in France , the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses were sentenced to several tax adjustments: an adjustment on securities of 7.3 million francs and another following a breach of the code Social Security after a check of the URSSAF headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses of a sum of 10.3 million francs , amounts that were paid. Finally, the Association of Jehovah's Witnesses (ATJ) has been sentenced to a tax adjustment on the taxation of gifts books she has not settled to date, having first brought the case before the French courts which confirmed the decision, then before the European Court of Human Rights, and the Jehovah's Witnesses had found the taxation of donations to the cult unfair and discriminatory (see tax adjustments and Urssaf France ).

If religions are exempt from tax in the country where they are installed, local congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses can take advantage of this. And, like any other citizen, Jehovah's Witnesses have tax benefits enabling them to reduce their taxes. This is the case in France , where donations to the Association of Jehovah's Witnesses cult in France (ACTJF) or the Christian Federation of Jehovah's Witnesses in France open the door to a tax reduction of 60% of the amount of donation.

Hi patriotic anthem and flag

The Jehovah's Witnesses say they respect the national symbols, but refuse to worship in spirit or in deed, because for them, salute a flag is an expression of patriotic feelings and a form of idolatry that the early Christians would have rejected . They respect others' right to act as they see fit, but they worship only Jehovah. They are based on the Gospel according to Matthew 4:10. The faithful can not worship a flag or keep it in a parade or in a classroom for all to greet him. It is not forbidden to work or enter a public building on which floats the flag country, but do not wear it to windows, doors, on cars, on desks. Similarly, the religious movement says we should not sing the national anthem. However, it is recommended to stand respectfully while the others sing .

These refusals have caused some difficulties for the faithful (diverts public school children in particular) who brought their cases to court where they have often been successful .

Military Service

Based on verses like Matthew 26:52, which states that "whoever takes the sword shall perish by the sword" or John 5:16 p.m. which establishes the principle of what they call "Christian neutrality" and on the writings of the Fathers of the Church , Jehovah's Witnesses are opposed to military service and refused until 1995 to make an alternative service where it existed.

Historically, this refusal to join the armed forces has created serious difficulties for the faithful, especially in wartime. During World War II , young Witnesses were executed in a number of countries for their refusal to participate in the war, even in countries more democratic , the exemption was generally rejected and were often imprisoned. Currently, there are fewer conflicts about this between Witnesses and most governments, because many countries have abolished conscription , while others have instituted a civil service alternative for conscientious objectors. However, in some countries, the faithful are still incarcerated for that reason.

The position of Jehovah's Witnesses in the military service and civilian service has been the subject of various criticisms, mostly ethical: it is particularly critical of the movement did not have an attitude equal across countries and eras.

At the time of Russell

Indeed, for Russell , first president of the Jehovah's Witnesses, there was no objection to a Christian makes his military service , provided that in case of war, he served in the body non-combatants from armed such medical services, or at worst it pulls the air to frighten the enemy. Moreover, a student of the Bible very famous in the 1900 and 1910 , William Preble Hall , delivered the opening speech of the meeting of Bible Students in 1911 and accompanied Russell in his Around the world, although he was military grade of a large ( Brigadier General, then Assistant Adjutant -General at the headquarters of the army to Washington in 1893 , finally adjutant general for six months) until his retirement in 1912.

During the First World War , the Bible Students French went to war and wore the uniform , which met Russell in that they did in the non-combatant service . Subsequently, Russell has nevertheless recommended to the faithful working in arms factories to do so only if they could find no other profession , and for him, accepting the same uniform for non-combatant service was already a compromise (the people who see them in uniform did not know they were not taking up arms) . Thus, he said it was better to die for Christ rather than be incorporated , even though he said it was up to each individual to decide in conscience , moreover, it has established a distinction between body noncombatants digging trenches that seemed inappropriate for a Christian, and those used for the hospital , the Red Cross for example which did not pose a problem of conscience . Thus, the movement has sought exemption from military service in Canada for example .

Under the presidency of Rutherford

Subsequently, under the presidency of Rutherford , Jehovah's Witnesses in Germany refused since the 1930's military service and conscription at the cost of significant persecution. With the entry into the war the United States , management has decided during the Second World War to refuse any form of civil service , the Witness to choose the exemption as a minister of religion , but not status of conscientious objector. Nevertheless, more than 4,000 witnesses have been jailed for refusing to fight, sentenced for an average of 42 months each lasting more than seven months in comparison to other rebellious. However, the ban on military service was not uniform before the end of the Second World War.

Currently

In France in 1995 , the Ministry of Defence then headed by Francois Leotard proposed the transfer of conscientious objectors Jehovah's Witnesses under the Ministry of Social Affairs rather than under the Ministry of Defence. However, when the problem was not located at this level since the Jehovah's Witnesses wanted to be exempted from service without replacement, the hierarchy has yet accepted this agreement in 1995 , saying publicly that the government is bent its requests. However, transfer of guardianship from one department to another does not change the status of conscientious objector "to antimilitarist stated" that of "apolitical".

In fact, the leaders of Jehovah's Witnesses have changed their views, and in 1996 , this change appeared in the guard tower where the movement believed that if some had refused the civil service , they had only to follow their consciousness . According to that chronicles Raymond Franz has participated in discussions on how to position itself within the Central College in 1978 , it would not have taken the decision of one man, Lloyd Barry, who returned to his vote, for an alternative service has been adopted by theocratically Jehovah's Witnesses .

Statistics

In some republics of the former Soviet Union , in South Korea to Singapore , and in some countries of Africa , young Witnesses continue to be imprisoned because of their refusal to perform military service. For example, at 15 December 2005 , there were 1,044 Witnesses imprisoned in South Korea.

In France , between 1950 and 1992 , 7,593 young followers have served prison sentences totaling 8,383 years because of their refusal of military service. Amnesty International has repeatedly denounced this situation .

In October 2007 , the Tajikistan has officially banned the Jehovah's Witnesses in particular for their rejection of military service. The religious head of the department said: "This religious group had violated the constitution which mandates military service, calling to oppose" .

Contradictions and critical

A breach of neutrality: affiliation with the UN

History of the teaching of Jehovah's Witnesses

At the meeting the Bible Students held in September 1919 , the press has reported local reviews Rutherford on the League of Nations :

"He said that the a href = "% C3% Soci A9t% C3% A9_des_Nations" title = "League"> League of Nations, consisting of political and economic forces, was created by a desire to improve mankind through the establishment of peace and abundance of great good it would accomplish, and then said the Lord's displeasure is sure to be worn on the Company, because the clergy - Catholic and Protestant - have abandoned his plan and endorsed the League of Nations , as the political expression of Christ's kingdom on earth . The magazine of Jehovah's Witnesses The Golden Age (now called Awake! ) has likewise presented the "professional politicians" and "money power" and the " clergy "as an" unholy trinity "that supported the League of Nations and was expected termination:

"Because these two classes "

. In 1930 , Rutherford published Prohibition & the League of Nations - born of God or the Devil, Which? The Bible proof that concluded:

"This is the positive relationship and unreserved Jehovah God that neither the League nor any other combination of men and governments have anything to do with the establishment of his kingdom and the establishment of peace and righteousness. This is the Kingdom of God, not man's, and for men to take what God has said he will do is a blatant sin and presumptuous. The organization of a nation that tries to operate in front of God and presumptuously trying to install a rule or an organization and call it the Kingdom of God will suffer a severe punishment . "

In 1963 , the Jehovah's Witnesses have adopted a resolution establishing the official view on the United Nations. The resolution was published in The Watchtower November 15 1963. At the 24 meetings held throughout that year, a total of 454 977 participants adopted the resolution.

Concerning the United Nations , paragraph 5 of the Statute of the resolution stated: "The nations have also refused to surrender their sovereignty to the realm of God's by installing ... the United Nations ... international organization for global sovereignty by politicians. For years men have no faith in the Kingdom of God have tried to force everyone to worship this image of international human political sovereignty as the best hope for peace and security on land, in fact, the last hope for humanity. So far 111 nations have given a cult in this political image by becoming members of it. However, we as a Sovereign God Jehovah's Witnesses, we will continue to refuse to engage in such worship idolatrous ... "

Structure of Jehovah's Witnesses on the UN

Since 1919 , Jehovah's Witnesses (then known under the name Bible Students until 1931 ) taught in their publications that the League of Nations and later the United Nations have been implemented as infringement of the Kingdom of God. The second president of the religious movement, Joseph Franklin Rutherford , has severely condemned the politicians, the big traders and the clergy because of the support which brought to the League of Nations. In 1942 , Nathan Homer Knorr, the third president of the Jehovah's Witnesses , had planned that after the Second World War , the League of Nations resurrected ^, , a claim rejected by critics of the movement who believe that the analysis of events of the time allowed to guess that resurrection . The traditional view of the organization is that the UN will soon destroy all other religions , then turning against the Jehovah's Witnesses.

The Jehovah's Witnesses teach that the UN is the "image of the beast" mentioned in Revelation 13:1-18 and is the realization of the "unclean thing causing desolation" set forth by Jesus in Matthew 24 : 15 . The Jehovah's Witnesses believe that God will use the UN to destroy all false religions , that is to say that all religions are institutionalized destroyed, except the Jehovah's Witnesses. Then, based on a prophecy of Ezekiel, the religious movement is expected that the UN will then return against him to destroy it, but thought that Jehovah will intervene in time for his people and destroy all political elements. They believe that this act of divine intervention will be Armageddon, the final part of the 'great tribulation'.

Scandal of the association with the UN DPI

As stipulated in the Charter of the United Nations , nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) such as the Watchtower Society can not become members of the UN. They may however be associated with one of its sections.

The Watchtower Society has become, however, with the agreement of members of College Central (Global Head of the religious movement), an associate member of the Department of Public Information of the United Nations (UN / DPI) in February 1992 and maintained this membership until October 2001. This attitude of the leaders of the religious movement to the United Nations (UN) has initiated an intense debate both internally and externally. The UN , described by their doctrine of "counterfeit of the Kingdom of God "introduced by Satan to mislead humans, has been the issue of a scandal was discovered when the affiliation of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society , an organization- mother of Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide, as an NGO with the DPI Office of the UN from 1989. This controversy was heightened by the fact that the faithful base must maintain strict political neutrality, which sometimes cost them dearly (like the Jehovah's Witnesses from Malawi who, by order of the Watchtower Society , should not buy map required a political party in the 1970s , suffering and terrible persecution and even death).

While in some writings of the Jehovah's Witnesses, it is stated that "no Christian should support this organization," the global office has agreed to "support the UN and its actions "and to" mobilize public opinion in favor of United Nations "in order to" obtain access to the vast library of the United Nations "(as the spokesperson British movement), and "distribute humanitarian aid and protect human rights in several countries world "(according to the spokesman Portuguese movement). As a result, some have found the attitude of the organization hypocritical, especially since such affiliation was unknown to the majority of Jehovah's Witnesses, and even movement of itinerant supervisors were unaware of the case . Critics have shown that access to documents in this library could be done without joining the CIO office of the UN. Each NGO must support a particular category of causes championed by the UN, the movement has chosen the freedom of religion at the beginning of his association with the UN, then the rights from 1997 , a choice that some critics feel is inappropriate because they believe that the Watchtower Society violate human rights . Moreover, the movement has been criticized for being affiliated with the UN because it had previously banned its members joining the YMCA , believe in The Watchtower of January ^1, 1979 it was in the case of apostasy .

The Watchtower Society has decided to resign in haste, just three days after the press including the diary British newspaper The Guardian , has released the scandal . Many Jehovah's Witnesses, not knowing if it was a rumor or not, requested an explanation from the UN , which prompted the latter to publish on its official website a letter dated March 4 2004 summarizing the case .

Contradictions of the position on military service

The policy of Jehovah's Witnesses in respect of military service and civil service has led to criticism from former members and organizations to fight against sects.

Biblical basis?

Critics contend that the position of Jehovah's Witnesses is not explicitly based on the Bible , the military service there is not condemned, and that the testimony of the ^first century attest to the presence of Christians in the army .

In addition, numerous reports from about 90 Committees Subsidiaries and personal letters of faithful indicated that they did not understand the logic of the ban on civilian service , or its biblical basis . The former member of College Central Raymond Franz had presented himself to his co-leaders fourteen pages of historical evidence, biblical and dictionary showing that the civil service was acceptable , but without success.

Case of Switzerland during the Second World War

Critics point out that, after them, the Swiss Jehovah's Witnesses, have lied to the government during the Second World War when they were accused of being against military service : indeed, in a letter to the authorities of this country, they asserted in a statement that "at no time they had seen the fulfillment of military obligations as an offense against the principles and aspirations of the Association of Jehovah's Witnesses" stating that "hundreds of our members and our supporters have done their military duty and continue to do so" , and this while at the same time, Jehovah's Witnesses in Germany were being run for refusing military service. Nevertheless, a publication of the Jehovah's Witnesses tracing their history in Switzerland said in relation to the period of the Second World War : "True to the dictates of their conscience, most Jehovah's Witnesses refused military service (Isaiah 2:2 - 4; Rom. 6:12-14, 12:1, 2) " .

Wanting to protect the last desktop operating in Europe , they told the authorities in Switzerland that the faithful who refused military service did so for themselves, while hundreds of others were doing their military service and for this the editor included the statement without specifying the husbands non-Jehovah's Witnesses and non- baptized and apparently some real Jehovah's Witnesses .

Case of Mexico from 1960

Former members reveal that in 1960 , international leaders of the movement (N. Knorr, F. Franz and the Central College at the time) agreed that young Jehovah's Witnesses from Mexico - including the district supervisors , District and members of Bethel - paying bribes wine (around 200) to some Mexican officials in exchange for a certificate stating that they had completed their military service and are now recognized as reservists in the armed Mexican .

Raymond Franz , former member of the governing body, said he was shocked that the organization adopts and "dual level" and put this in parallel with that very difficult Witnesses of Malawi who were denied even in the torture to buy the map of political party, and with that of the faithful imprisoned for their neutrality in the Dominican Republic in harsh conditions and for long periods .

Back to the ideas of the founder

Critics also noted that the management of Jehovah's Witnesses did not always have the same attitude vis--vis the military and the civil service , and currently it is returned to the ideas of the movement's founder, Russell but in the meantime, that is to say for 70 years, thousands of Jehovah's Witnesses found themselves in jail following the uncompromising interpretation of the organization's leaders on this issue, otherwise they risked ' excommunication .

Difficulties encountered by the faithful

Several documents provided by Raymond Franz shows how the organization's recommendations on the subject have led to problems with witnesses involved in the civil service and members of Committees Subsidiaries diffrerent countries .

Case Lecoin

Louis Lecoin , antiwar, pacifist, head of the French section of the International Solidarity Antifascist, recounts in his autobiography, The Course of a Life in 1957 , there were 86 Jehovah's Witnesses imprisoned for their refusal of military service. Thinking about the courage of the faithful that he had known during the Second World War , he wanted to allow Jehovah's Witnesses to obtain conscientious objector status, despite warnings from his entourage on this project. With his committee, he multiplied the actions and eventually raise public awareness. After a hunger strike in June 1962 , he won early release of conscientious objectors imprisoned for three years.

Lecoin then tells how he felt betrayed by the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses. Indeed, in two letters of Jehovah's Witnesses dated 13 August 1963 , one addressed to Louis Lecoin, the other president , Jehovah's Witnesses say they "will never be supportive of actions that .

Despite this, the Jehovah's Witnesses were able to enjoy the status of conscientious objectors granted by the law promulgated on 22 December 1963 .

Prosecution of total submission to the Watchtower Society

Louis Lecoin and critics of the movement to criticize the organization for wanting Jehovist "keep martyrs in its ranks and that the faithful are totally obedient to the leaders .

Raymond Franz summarizes this situation as follows : "The Committee's letter to Belgian subsidiary (...) nevertheless notes that .

See also

Bibliography

• (In) Jehovah Himself Has Become King, Robert King, 2005, USA ( ISBN 1-4208-5498-4 ), chapter "Strange Bedfollows", p. 109-55 (critical of the association with the UN)

References

• (In) This article is partially or entirely from the article in English entitled " Jehovah's Witnesses & the United Nations "(see the list of authors )

1. United in worship the one true God, 1983, pp. 165-8
2. The Canadian Encyclopedia:

   "The movement of Jehovah's Witnesses is the recovery and restoration of primitive Christianity as practiced by Jesus and his disciples during the first and second century. All are brothers. "

3. Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1986 263
4. "The neutrality of Christians in recent days," The Watchtower, ¹ November 2002, pp. 14-9
5. The Watchtower, December 15, 1980, pp. 5,6
6. Who is really in the world?, 1992
7. For example Ephesians 6:11-12, 2 Corinthians 4:3-4, Jacques 4:4, 1 John 5:19
8. Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 1, p. 89
9. Jehovah's Witnesses, Bernard Blandre, Editions Brepols, 1991, p. 105 ( ISBN 2-503-50063-3 ):

   "Yet some texts mitigate opposition from Jehovah's Witnesses in the world. Rutherford, we have seen, regarded as 'higher authorities' God, Jesus and the leaders Jehovah. For F. Franz, author of Eternal life in the freedom of the Son of God, it is indeed political power (...) [He then quotes a long passage from the book to confirm his words] "

10. Studies in the Scriptures, CTRussell, vol.2, pp. 78-9
11. The truth shall make you free, 1947, pp. 286-7
12. This is eternal life in the freedom of the son of God, 1966, p. 189
13. "The thorny issue of the prophecies of Jehovah's Witnesses!", Section "The higher authorities of Romans 13" on Vigi-cult
14. "The Jehovah's Witnesses and the faithful and discreet slave", note 2 on Aggelia
15. "Our bid for higher authorities", The Watchtower, November ^1, 1990, pp. 23-8
16. The Watchtower, December 15, 2005, p. 23
17. Sects, Jean-Francois Mayer, Editions du Cerf, 1987 43 ( ISBN 2-204-03031-7 ):

    "These decisions [of those leaders of the Jehovah's Witnesses] can have serious consequences in everyday life: thus, in a country like Malawi, the refusal of Jehovah's Witnesses, on the instructions of their organization, to purchase the map single party has earned them harsh persecution faced also with a faith worthy of admiration. "

18. In the hell of Jehovah's Witnesses, Dany Bouchard, Editions du Rocher, 2001 142
19. The Watchtower, ¹ May 1999, p. 14
20. The 2002 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, was on page 194, praised those who remained firm in their refusal to vote, including in countries where the practice of democracy was a legal obligation, even if why they had to undergo heavy sentences:

    "In the 1970s and early 1980s, the Philippine law made voting compulsory for all citizens. Offenders were imprisoned. Jehovah's people would have to show him loyalty. Like their fellow Christians around the world, the servants of Jehovah in the Philippines have maintained their neutrality policy 'does not belong to the world'. - John 17:16. After a change of government in 1986, the country's constitution was revised, and was eliminated compulsory voting. That made things easier for the brothers. "

21. "When we do not vote", and on-sect-era
22. "The Jehovah's Witnesses are cringe at Lens," Anne-Charlotte de Langhe, Le Figaro, July 19, 2006:

    "The behavior observed by Jehovah's Witnesses, like refusing blood transfusions and the act of voting, are not consistent with the laws of the Republic [by Guy Delcourt, the mayor of Lens]"

23. "Let the things of Caesar to Caesar," The Watchtower, May ^1, 1996, p. 17
24. Report of the National Assembly No. 1682, Part III, p. 360 under the heading "Failure to declare income of Heritage"
25. Report of the National Assembly No. 1687 III Part I Offences against social legislation B. Breaches of the Code of Social Security 3 - The recovery of Jehovah's Witnesses Page 9
26. They cite in this connection the author J. Paul Williams, for whom the flag is the main symbol of faith and the central object of worship for nationalism "and the Encyclopedia Americana, which declares that" the flag, like the cross is sacred "and also: "Expression of patriotism, national anthem and the direction often invokes God's protection for the people or its leaders." They also cite Daniel Mannix in those who will die (Eng.), who commented: "The Christians refused to sacrifice to the genius of [...] Emperor [Roman] - which today is roughly equivalent to the denial of salute the flag. "
27. "The salvation belongs to Jehovah," The Watchtower, September 15, 2002, pp. 21-5
28. For example: "A Supreme Court verdict in favor of Jehovah's Witnesses", AHA Bulletin No. 152, June ^1, 1993
29. Jehovah's Witnesses - Proclaimers of God's kingdom, photo on page 420, third from the left
30. The Watchtower, November 15, 1914:

    "In France We Were Not Able to Do Anything. Many of The Brethren are in military service, and I Might Be Called in "any day"

31. The Watchtower, April ^1, 1915:

    "Before the war weekends recommended to The Brethren That In The Event of Hostilities THEY" should, so far as possible, if Drafted, request Positions In The Hospital In The Gold service department supplies, Where They Could Efficiently Serve the Government; WHERE THEY yew Were Ordered To The firing line, They Would not Be Obliged to shoot to kill. We Have Reasons for believing That thesis suggestions are Being Followed Meantime And That The Brethren are physician before proclaiming to Opportunities for Their companions in military service message The Blessed Of The soon-to-be-ESTABLISHED kingdom of Christ, for The Blessing of All the Families of the earth "

32. The Watchtower, ¹ September 1915:

    "Some Have inquired in respect To The situation in Connection With The manufacture of war ammunition. Our advice has been "Io to Avoid Them Engaging in Such work as this, EXCEPT have the money absolutely Would Be Necessary to Provide food and shelter for Their Families and Themselves. And Then, Taking Such A situation Merely as a matter of neeesqly, WE recommend That it be Vacated as speedily as somcthing else Cdn links found, no matter how poor The pay, if it Will Provide life's necessities "

33. The Watchtower, ¹ September 1915:

    "In Scriptures Studies, Vol. VI, We Have a suggestion set forth thats the followers of Christ seek proper by Every Means to Avoid participation in war. The Possibility Suggested We There, but thats in The Event of conscription the Lord's followers should "use all influence Toward Obtaining Their Positions In The Gold In The Hospital Corps Reserve Department of the Army, Rather Than In The actual warfare. Further Suggested That We Were it not if to Avoid Going Into the trenches, It Would Be Necessary to Still Not Violate The Divine "requirement," Thou shalt do no murder. " We Have Been wondering if sincere Suggested the Course We Have Is The Best One. We wonder if Such A Race Would not mean compromised. We Reflect That to Become a member of the Army and to Put on the military uniform Implies The Duties and obligations of a soldier and have reconnu accepted. A protest made to Officer Would Be Insignificant year - the public in general Would not know of it. Would not the Christian Be really out of place Under Such historical conditions? "

34. The Watchtower, ¹ September 1914:

    "" But, "some one replies," if one refuses to Were The Uniform & the military service tie Would Be Shot. " We reply That Were Properly If The presentation made There Might Be Some Kind of exemption; purpose if not, Would It Be Any Worse To Be Shot Because Of Loyalty To The Prince of Peace and Refusal to disobey His order Than To Be Shot while "under the banner of earthly kings and thesis Apparently Giving Them support and, in appearance at least, Compromising The Teachings of Our Heavenly Kings? Of The Two Deaths WE WOULD Prefer The form - prefer to die Because Of faithfulness to Our heavenly King. Certainly The One dying for His loyalty to The Principles of the Lord's Teachings Would ACCOMPLISH Far More Than Death by historical Would The One Dying In The Trenches. We cannot tell how great The Influence Would Be for Peace, for righteousness, for God, if A Few Hundred Of The Lord's Faithful Were to follow the Course of Shadraeh, Meshach and Abednego, and refuses to bow down to The God of War ""

35. The Watchtower, ¹ September 1915:

    "We are not urging this race. We Are Merely Suggesting it. The fully-responsibility "Belong With EACH individual". We are DISCHARGING o responsability Toward Many Bible Students Who are inquiring of us Respecting the Mind of the Lord is this subject. "

36. The Watchtower, ¹ May 1916:

    "The question IS one for the conscience of Each Individual. For our part, It Would Seem To Be a participation in the War if one engages in to Were Laying Out and digging trenches, putting in foundations for cannon, etc. .. The Things In The implied term 'engineering'. It Would Seem To the Editor Somewhat different box if a soldier of the Cross Were Demanded by year earthly Government to Enter the hospital work - Such as the Red Cross for relief of the sick and Wounded, etc.., Even If The Care Of The Wounded And The nursing of 'em back to The Health Would Sooner em prepared for slaughter. The Editor's conscience Would not balk at Red Cross hospital work. "

37. The Watchtower, February ^1, 1916:

    "I rest my claim for exemption are Such as a mortgage, to wit: I am a Christian & the religious doctrine Which I Believe and hold preclude me from bearing alms or rendering personal military service, I am a member of The International Bible Students Association Religious Association was Organized Under the Laws of Great Britain. "

38. Crisis of Conscience, Raymond Franz, former member of Central College, P. 101, Editions Commentary Press, Atlanta, 2004
39. The Watchtower, ¹ May 1996:

    "What if the state demands it makes of a Christian for a certain period of time a civil service that is a form of national service under civilian administration? Again, Christians must take the decision himself that his conscience enlightened. "All (...) we appear before the tribunal of God" (Romans 14:10). Christians who are dealing with a requirement of Caesar must study and ponder the matter in prayer. It would be wise also he discussed with mature Christians in the congregation. Afterwards, he will his own decision. - Proverbs 2:1-5, Philippians 4:5. "

    "Some witnesses have suffered at some point in their lives for refusing to participate in an activity in which their conscience would not find today, nothing wrong. This is what could happen, for example, several years ago in connection with certain forms of civil service. A brother may feel that it could now do what the civil service in good conscience without doing violence to his Christian neutrality with respect to the present system of things. (...) How could we regret having to listen to his conscience, took a strong stand for Jehovah? Faithfully defending Christian principles as they understood them or in obedience to the promptings of their conscience, they have shown themselves worthy of the friendship of Jehovah. Certainly, it is wise to do nothing that might disturb our conscience or risk tripping others. In this respect we can learn from the example set by the apostle Paul. - 1 Corinthians 8:12,13; 10:31-33. "

40. Crisis of Conscience, Chapter 5 p. 135 (English), published by Commentary Press, Atlanta, 2004
41. Jehovah's Witnesses - For an original Christianity, Philippe Barbey, L'Harmattan, 2003, p. 156 ( ISBN 2-7475-4064-2 )
42. "The Jehovah's Witnesses expelled for proselytizing in Tajikistan", AFP, 22 October 2007
43. "From Sandusky the" Star Journal, Ohio, cited in The Watchtower, October ^1, 1919, p. 298
44. Touching the Coming of the Lord, CF Hogg and WE Vine, London, 1919, p. 95:

    div> "Such a League of Nations, for instance, As Is Proposed to-day as a panacea for national wrongs, not only has-been foretold in Scripture As The last resource of international politics, goal icts Likewise failure has Been Predicted. "

Golden Age, Sept. 9, 1920, p. 722

Prohibition & the League of Nations, p. 52

"Stay awake with the" faithful and wise servant ", The Watchtower, November 15, 1960:

"In 1942, the" faithful and wise slave, "guided by the infallible spirit of Jehovah, that gave the democracies would win World War II and that a UN organization would be established. This vigilance concerning events that were fulfilled three years later. "

Peace - can it last?, resuming a speech Knorr, 1942, pp. 21-2

"When the mind of God infallible is wrong", Jacques Luc on Prevensectes

The Watchtower, ¹ May 1999, p. 14

(en) Jehovah Himself Has Become King, Robert King, 2005, USA, p. 110 ( ISBN 1-4208-5498-4 )

Jehovah's Witness and Human Rights, on Aggelia

(en) Jehovah Himself Has Become King, Robert King, 2005, USA, pp. 114-5 ( ISBN 1-4208-5498-4 )

Some critical sites vis--vis the movement tell the whole affair in detail: "Watchtower and UN, a collaboration of 10 years!" Via Veritas site , and "The definitive evidence of association with the Watchtower UN "on the TJ-site Searches

Letter from the UN and its translation, the site Blooklyntower

The Church and War, p. 51:

"As far as we can judge from the few contemporary accounts, most of the first three centuries Christians do not seem fundamental contradiction between Christianity and military life. (...) In fact, the presence of Christian soldiers is well documented, no one can move even numbers or proportions. Their number seems relatively low until the second half of the second century, according to the epigraphic evidence, and then inflated from the year 170. "

Crisis of Conscience, Raymond Franz, 2000 137

^{a and b} Crisis of Conscience, Raymond Franz, 2000 151

Sects, Bernard Fillaire & Janine Tavernier, Editions Le Cavalier Bleu, 2003, pp. 90-1 ( ISBN 978-2846700542 )

Statement by the Swiss management of Jehovah's Witnesses to the Swiss authorities

Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses 1987, p. 156

The Bibleforshers and Nazism - 1933-1945 ^(6th edition), Sylvie and Leo Graffard Tristan, pp. 53.54 where the authors of the book have been answered by the authorities of Jehovah's Witnesses in Switzerland

Crisis of Conscience by Raymond Franz, former member of Central College, editions Commentary Press, Atlanta, 2004, pp. 110-35

Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of the Jehovah's Witnesses, James Penton, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1997, pp. 149-50

Crisis of Conscience, Chapter 5 p. 124 (English), published by Commentary Press, Atlanta, 2004:

"The official position of the Watchtower, developed during the Second World War, was that if a Jehovah's Witness accepted the alternative service, he had 'made a compromise, he had lost his integrity to God. We arrived at this view by arguing that the service being 'in place', so he took the place of what it replaced, and (such was the reasoning) was therefore the same. Since the alternative service was offered in lieu of military service and military service involved (at least potentially) the bloodshed, the one who accepts this alternative service became guilty of bloodshed. This remarkable rule which was developed before the Central College becomes a reality, was adopted by Fred Franz and Nathan Knorr, at the time they were the ones who made all major decisions. Anyone failing to comply would be automatically considered 'voluntarily withdrew, and treated as if it had been excluded. "

In Search of Christian Freedom Raymond Franz, pp. 256-70

The course of a lifetime, Louis Lecoin, 1965, 347 pages

^{a and b} 'To stay the martyrs, they were denied the status of conscientious objector "on Prevensectes

Crisis of Conscience, Raymond Franz, 2000 140

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