This is what previous
articles had to say about "Voting".....
WT 11/15/1977
page 686 Why Persecution of Christians?
The Witnesses are neutral as to warfare and strife between the nations,
as well as being clean from all political involvement, not even voting, because they fulfill Jesus’ description of them as being “no part of the world.” (John 17:14) For the same reason they do not
salute the flag or emblem of any nation. For a Christian witness of Jehovah to give devotion,
worship or service to, or to bow to or salute any image or idol is a grave sin in the eyes of God.—1
John 5:21; Acts 15:29; compare Exodus 20:4, 5; Deuteronomy 5:8, 9.
WT 10/15/1973
page 627 Why People of All Kinds Are Becoming Jehovah's Witnesses
“You gave me the right answer to the first question,” said the man, “but
you probably won’t answer the next one right. I am looking for a religion which has absolutely nothing
to do with politics. Do you have anything to do with politics?” Informed that Jehovah’s witnesses
keep separate from all politics, not even voting, the man was
indeed surprised. Eventually a Bible study was started with him and his wife. Now both of them are baptized witnesses of Jehovah.
WT 5/15/1964
page 308 Maintaining Unity in Difficult Times
Even in certain democracies the law makes it compulsory for the citizens
to go to the election places. In no country do Jehovah’s witnesses take part in politics. They
are not of this world. (John 17:14) Therefore they do not take part in voting
at elections. They do not compromise their neutral standing in matters of politics, however, if they
go to the polls and make the ballot void in some manner, either by crossing it out or by putting
down, for example, the words “For God’s Kingdom.” That is telling what he is for. By doing this their
ballot will become void; it will not count in the election of a man. They have complied with the
law and gone to the polls and likely avoided punishment.
This
is what the "Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock 1981" book
says about an individual who would "Vote" and what actions are done with
such a one.
WT
11/15/1950 pages 445-446 Subjection to the Higher Powers (Watchtower
5/15/1950 that was quoted in the new November 1, 1999)
Likewise where Caesar makes it compulsory for citizens
to vote. After they have registered and when election day comes, they can go to the polls
and enter the voting booths. It is here
that they are called upon to mark the ballot or write in
what they stand for. The voters do what
they will with
their ballots. So here in the presence of God is where
his witnesses must act in harmony with his commandments and in accordance with their faith.
23 It is not our responsibility to instruct them what
to do with the ballot. They must act in
accord with their conscience as enlightened by the study of
God’s Word. In lands where voting is not compulsory, the ministers of Jehovah’s Word remember
that his people are theocratically organized. According to the divine law under which
they are organized the popular vote of the majority does not put servants in office, but all
appointments in the theocratic organization are from God and through those whom he puts in authority
in his organization. Even in his visible organization the individual members of the congregation
do not vote democratically and put qualified men into positions of overseers and ministerial
servants by majority vote. No, but theappointments to all official positions of service
are made by the spirit of God and through the governing body according to the Scriptural requirements.
Even the governing body which make the appointments are under instructions from the “superior
authorities”, God and his Christ. To them it is written: “Never lay your hands hastily
upon any man; neither be a sharer in the sins of others; preserve yourself pure.” (1 Tim. 3:1-13 and
Þ1Ti Ü5:22, NW) So the ministers of Jehovah’s Word do not possess the vote within his
organization. As for the governing body, it does not lay its hands hastily upon a consecrated
person, lest it should become responsible for his sins in office due to a hasty appointment of an
undependable, unqualified person. 24 Since they do not
exercise the popular vote to put even consecrated servants into office even within the theocratic organization, they consider
it improper to exercise the democratic vote by which unconsecrated persons are put into worldly
political offices. They do not choose to share in the responsibility for the sins of such worldlings
in governmental offices. They want to preserve themselves pure from this world. They abide by God’s
appointments through his theocratic organization, and they accept his appointment of Jesus
Christ to the kingship of the righteous new world. |