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Essay (JW)

Jehovah's Witnesses' Stand in Political Affairs

One of the frequently asked questions about Jehovah's Witnesses is why do we maintain political neutrality especially there is an upcoming election in 2022. Jehovah's Witnesses remain politically neutral for religious reasons, based on what the Bible teaches. We do not lobby, vote for political parties or candidates, run for government office, or participate in any action to change governments.

We believe that the Bible gives solid reasons for following this course. First, we follow the example of Jesus, who refused to accept political office. (John 6:15) Second, we are loyal to God's Kingdom, which Jesus spoke of when he said: "This good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth."(Matthew 24:14) Third, by remaining neutral, we are able to speak freely to people of all political persuasions about the good news of God's Kingdom. Fourth, since we avoid political divisions, we are united as an international brotherhood. (1 Peter 2:17)

Even though as Jehovah's Witnesses, we do not participate in politics, we respect the authority of the governments under which we live. (Romans 13:1) For example, we obey laws like traffic and health laws, we pay taxes, and cooperate with efforts of the government to provide for the welfare of its citizens. Rather than taking part in any attempt to subvert the government, we follow the Bible's counsel to pray for "kings and all those who are in position of authority" especially when they are making decisions that could affect freedom of worship. (1 Timothy 2:1,2) Moreover, we also respect the rights of others to decide on their own in political matters. For example, we do not disrupt elections or interfere with those who choose to vote.

On the other hand, our political neutrality is not a threat to national security. We are peace-loving citizens from whom governmental authorities have nothing to fear. In fact, there is a 2001 report produced by the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine which commented on our political neutrality. The report stated: "Today some may dislike this stand of Jehovah's Witnesses; it was a basic reason for their being accused by the totalitarian Nazi and the Communist regimest of the past. Yet, even under Soviet repression, the Witnesses "remained law-abiding citizens. They honestly and selflessly worked in collective farms and at industrial plants and presented no threat to the Communist regime." Likewise today, the beliefs and practices of Jehovah's Witnesses do not, the report concluded, "undermine the security and integrity of any state."

We as Jehovah's Witnesses remain neutral in politics mainly because of the Bible's principles. God's word tells us to be obedient to human governments, yet it also teaches that we must obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29, Titus 3:1) We submit to the authority of the government under which we live by obeying it's laws, respecting it's officials, and paying taxes it levies. However, if the government authorities tell us to disobey God, we respectfully refuse to comply.

Furthermore, we do not take sides in the world's politics. We do not oppose human governments that Jehovah God allows to function; nor do we promote patriotic or nationalistic activity. Specifically, we obey God by never favoring any candidate or political party over another, regardless of whether they seem to support or oppose our interest.

References:

https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/political-neutrality/

The Watchtower- Study Edition April 2016, "Maintain your Neutrality in the Divided World"

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Bible) by the New World Bible Translation
Committee, 2013

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Date originally written: December 22, 2021

Date posted in wp: March 4, 2022