Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Vote?

[T.Ruth2power]

Because they're representatives of God's heavenly kingdom.
By Jacob Leibenluft
Posted Thursday, June 26, 2008, at 6:39 PM ET


Serena Williams told reporters at Wimbledon on Wednesday that she's excited about Barack Obama's candidacy but won't vote for him because Jehovah's Witnesses "don't get involved in politics." Her sister Venus—who is also a Jehovah's Witness—wouldn't even comment on the presidential election. Why don't Jehovah's Witnesses vote?

Because of John 17:14 and other passages in the Bible. In that verse, Jesus says of his followers: "They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world." Jehovah's Witnesses have interpreted that statement as a call to remain neutral in all political matters. (In some of the sect's literature, members are described as "representatives of God's heavenly kingdom"; they are thus obligated to stay out of local political affairs in keeping with the behavior of ambassadors.) Witnesses also refrain from serving in the military, running for public office, and pledging allegiance to the flag.

Voting is not expressly prohibited, but it is discouraged. The Watchtower, the official publication of the Jehovah's Witnesses, ran an article in 1999 suggesting that the decision whether to vote was one of personal conscience, although it carefully laid out reasons for staying out of the voting booth. In reference to countries that require all citizens to show up at the ballot box, the Watchtower has explained that "here Caesar makes it compulsory for citizens to vote … can go to the polls and enter the voting booths," but the Watchtower did not specify what Witnesses should do with the ballot itself. According to some, the requirement for political neutrality led to the violent persecution of Witnesses in Malawi during the late 1960s and early 1970s, when adherents refused to register with the ruling Congress Party.

Most Jehovah's Witnesses in America do, in fact, abstain from voting. According to a survey released this week by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, the religious group is far more likely than any other to believe that there is only one true way to interpret religious teachings. In keeping with that adherence, just 13 percent reported they were registered to vote.

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http://www.slate.com/id/2194321/>1=39001

[LuckyTheDog]

1. Here is what I say when they come to my door

Any organization that recruits primarily in the black community and also discourages it members from voting does not deserve my support or respect. Now get off my porch.

[DesertFlower]

5. i can't repeat what i said

last time they came to my door.

[Rage for Order]

7. I've seen in every community in which I've lived

No matter the demographics. Based on my personal experience, I wouldn't say they target any specific community.

[hendo]

23. I wouldn't say primarily black community.

They are all over the place in mostly white/hispanic northern colorado.

[LuckyTheDog]

27. Around these parts, anyway...

...you see them mostly in the black community. I'd say the same was true in Chicago when I lived there.

[Freddie Stubbs]

32. In my hometown we were the only black family on our street

The JW's hit that neighborhood at least once a year, and they hit all of the houses there.

[threadkillaz]

35. I show em my fossil collection

.

[bluestateguy]

2. Why can't the Southern Baptists have this attitude?

Ugh.

[ColbertWatcher]

9. LOL! n/t

[dsc]

20. they used to

Before the mid 1970's evangelical Christians were very unlikely to vote.

[panader0]

3. "All along the Watchtower"

[DesertFlower]

4. interesting. i didn't know that. nt

[T.Ruth2power]

8. Me neither

I was actually rooting for a Williams sister Wimbledon final if possible but this bit made me wince.

As I read the article though I found it rather interesting and more nuanced than I expected. I've had some great conversations with Jehovah's Witness folk but I absolutely NEVER let them talk religion. LOL. I always try to get them to have some wine with me. No luck yet.

And the fact that they get out on Saturday mornings after those Friday nights is just a bad marketing strategy.

[BobRossi]

6. I had a room mate many years ago...

We were constantly bothered by JW's. He put a little sign on the front door that read: "I shoot every 3rd Jo-Jo, it's up to you to decide how many have been here before you".
It worked.

[alfredo]

10. Show up at the door nude, butcher knife in hand and a big forced grin.

[seemslikeadream]

13. or this

[alfredo]

24. Yeah, but it is easier to strip, grab the knife and plaster a shit eating grin

on your face. Of Course if you could display some "excitement" that would be even better.

[usaftmo]

12. You owe me a new keyboard!

:spray:

[Inspired]

11. My mom is a Jehovah's Witness.

She doesn't believe that any of this matters in her quest for heaven.

She also doesn't celebrate Christmas or participate in the giving of birthday gifts.

[Occulus]

25. She'll *receive* birthday gifts?

You said take. Does she refuse to accept birthday gifts?

[ProdigalJunkMail]

28. cannot speak to the situation with his mother...

but the JW's with which I am friends will ask you politely prior to events like holidays or birthdays to NOT get them gifts. If you get them something modest, they would not turn it away out of politeness...but I think they would be uncomfortable...

sP

[Inspired]

34. You are correct.

My mom doesn't like it when I buy her gifts. I do it anyway because she lives on a fixed income and doesn't have the extra money to buy herself a lot of things anymore. I try to buy her things that she really needs but would never ask for. I wrap them in generic wrapping paper and call them winter gifts or spring gifts. I don't associate them with a holiday.

[Mind_your_head]

44. Well, when one is on their "quest for heaven"

they still have to live upon this earth.....and it's a 'test' .....a real test, I tells ya!

[hisownpetard]

14. Oh, so voting is being too much "of the world," but playing professional tennis is not?

That makes a lot of sense.

[bedazzled]

30. religion and sense in the same sentence? snarf!

guess taking steroids is n't of the world,
either.

[Iris]

42. Maybe you should ask Prince about this one - he's JW, too.

So, tennis AND music are a-ok

[PADemD]

15. I always talk to them if I have the time.

In 2004, I told them, "While you're praying for our country, I'm calling my neighbors to get out the vote." They haven't been back for awhile. I guess they gave up on me.

[Speck Tater]

16. Don't care. Just thank God for small favors.

We already have enough brainless morons voting as it is.

[Bombero1956]

17. 4 out of 8 of my inspectors are Jehovah's Witnesses

I've had no problems with them for the most part, that was until last week when one of them sucker punched another inspector in the mouth knocking out 3 teeth. I always had an image of them as being primarily non violent I may have to rethink my beliefs about them voting as well. It did bother the chief when they asked to have the American flag patch removed from their uniform shirts on religious grounds. It sometimes bothers me that they shun holidays and birthdays yet take the holiday pay and the day off.

[Igel]

18. Most are non-violent.

But they're still human, lose their tempers, and don't do what they think is right at times. Their values and actions, just like with everybody else, frequently don't quite match up. It'd be easier if their values weren't so demanding sometimes.

Same for the church I was in, thoroughly non-JW, but which had fairly similar attitudes towards some things. They discouraged voting, scrapped birthdays and Xmas (had Passover and Feast of Tabernacles, with the other 5 OT holy days, instead). Flags? Fine. And they had definite opinions about politics. But no military service or jury duty. That went for WWII, as well, so it was formally pacifist.

That didn't stop one of the guys in the church from coming into the office one day wanting to talk to the pastor. Said he had some questions--he'd been in before, usually for well over an hour, and always came out looking distressed. This time he was carrying a 3' length of 2x4. Said he had the same questions he had the last 2-3 times he was there; the minister was getting tired of his showing up, he'd complained when he saw that "G." was on his schedule for right after lunch. When G. went into the pastor's office, he took the 2x4 with him. He came out smiling. Said he had his answers--put the 2x4 down on the part of the pastor's desk closest to the chair he'd be in, and sat. "So, G., what's the 2x4 for?" "It'll be handy if I don't get answers to my questions this time." He'd only been in there 10 minutes.

[dsc]

21. why shouldn't they take the day off

Millions of non Christians take Sunday off and accept overtime pay for Sunday. They are working on a day when others don't want to, why shouldn't they get a premium, even if they value the day less than the money.

[IA_Seth]

37. lol

yeah, you should probably rethink your entire view of a religion because of the actions of ONE adherent.

Right on, chap.

[noamnety]

19. It seems like a fair trade off to me.

If none of us voted ... but we all refused to serve in the military, what would our country look like?

[fudge stripe cookays]

22. I try to be understanding...

but when an old co-worker of mine who had a BRAIN TUMOR would not have surgery because it would require a blood transfusion (also verboten for JW's), I pretty much gave up trying to talk sense to her.

If there is a medical procedure that can save your life, but you'd rather depend on your invisible sky friend, you pretty much deserve what you get.

[PeaceNikki]

41. You were starless and avatarless there for a minute!!

Not anymore, though... whew! ;)

[fudge stripe cookays]

46. Mah baybay rescued me!

:D

[Jack_DeLeon]

26. Freedom is about doing what you want

as long as you arent infringing on the rights of others.

If someone chooses not to vote for whatever reason thats their business. I personally think thats stupid though, makes about as much sense to me as the kinds of religous people who are pacifists and would not use violence to defend themselves or others. My opinion is that this world is can be a hard and cruel place so while you are here you have to fight in one way or other for your rights.

[readmoreoften]

29. I was gonna say "to get to the other side." Wow I want all the fundies to convert.

Gays should start donating to them.

[LeftishBrit]

31. All in all, I'm quite glad they don't!

There are too many religious nuts in politics as it is.

[JVS]

33. My experience with the JW's has always been positive, and back in 2002...

they were already going door to door complaining about the Afghanistan war to anyone who would listen. At a time when very few dared oppose the war, they showed up on my doorstep not knowing who I was and asked if I thought God was for the war.

[IA_Seth]

39. I've had positive experiences as well...

My family was J-Dub back in the day, and when we decided to quit attending we weren't 'shunned' or otherwise made to feel worthless by friends made within the church.

Their ideas are different, yes...but they believe what they believe, and have the right to live their lives within the laws of this country. That's what we are all fighting for, right?

[pegleg]

36. Because they know what blackbox voting has done

to the election process - in other words "why bother?"

[Wiley50]

38. They will testify in court though

and then disappear into the Jehovah's Witness Protection Program

[Le Taz Hot]

40. My standard line when the Christofascists

(of any denomination) trespass on my property:

"Cool! I was right in the middle of my satanic worship ritual and was in desperate need of a sacrificial virgin when you rang my doorbell. I'm assuming you're here to volunteer?"

:evilgrin:

[librechik]

43. They don't believe in flags and countries--only The Kingdom of Jehovah

which supersedes all earthly authorities.

So, they don't vote. And they don't pledge Allegiance.

[rox63]

45. I never would have thought the Williams sisters were Jehovah's Witnesses

They certainly seem to be involved in a lot of "worldly" activities.

I had some relatives (an uncle and cousins - his kids) who were Jehovah's Witnesses for a few years. They eventually left that church for another flavor of Christianity. I recall that they changed religious denominations with some frequency.