Would a JW be disfellowshipped if they join a military (and are unrepentant about it)?
score:7
For one of Jehovah's Witnesses to be disfellowshipped, there must be evidence of two things:
- They have committed a serious sin (1 Cor. 6:9, 10; Gal. 5:19-21)
- They are unrepentant about it (Acts 26:20; Deut. 21:20, 21)
In the case of joining the military, the person would be putting themselves in a situation where they're much more likely to commit the serious sin of manslaughter or even murder, as well as the serious sins of "hostility," "brazen conduct," or "strife."
However, there's a much bigger issue with joining the military. It's a direct violation of the vow which all Jehovah's Witnesses make before baptism to give exclusive devotion to God's Kingdom (Deut. 6:15), not any of mankind's kingdoms. (Luke 4:5-8)
A person who chooses to join the military would be betraying God's Kingdom, and therefore it would be a resignation as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. This person would be considered "disassociated" rather than disfellowshipped, and at this point must be shunned by the congregation for the benefit of everyone. (1 Cor. 5:11; 1 John 2:19)
The reason that joining the military is such a big issue is because the military has objectives that are contrary to Bible teachings. These are the Bible teachings which apply most:
They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world.
4 He will render judgment among the nations
And set matters straight respecting many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
And their spears into pruning shears.
Nation will not lift up sword against nation,
Nor will they learn war anymore.
17 I saw also an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out with a loud voice and said to all the birds that fly in midheaven: “Come here, be gathered together to the great evening meal of God, 18 so that you may eat the flesh of kings and the flesh of military commanders and the flesh of strong men and the flesh of horses and of those seated on them, and the flesh of all, of freemen as well as of slaves and of small ones and great.”
19 And I saw the wild beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the one seated on the horse and against his army. 20 And the wild beast was caught, and along with it the false prophet that performed in front of it the signs with which he misled those who received the mark of the wild beast and those who worship its image. While still alive, they both were hurled into the fiery lake that burns with sulfur. 21 But the rest were killed off with the long sword that proceeded out of the mouth of the one seated on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.
Upvote:1
Here is a brief summary of the official view of Jehovah’s Witnesses and joining the military:
"Jesus’ disciples obey his command to be “no part of the world” by remaining strictly neutral in political matters. (John 17:16) They do not protest against military actions or interfere with those who choose to serve in the armed forces.” (Frequently Asked Questions)
https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/why-dont-you-go-to-war/ https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/political-neutrality/
"Christians chose to remain politically neutral. No injustice or threat to them or the country in which they lived justified taking part in military action.” (Watchtower October 2009) https://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/wp20091001/Is-War-Compatible-With-Christianity/
Would a baptised Jehovah’s Witness who joined the military and who was unrepentant be expelled from the congregation? This is the only guidance to be found in literature available to the public:
"Two factors—which must coincide—result in the disfellowshipping of one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. First, a baptized Witness commits a serious sin. Second, he does not repent of his sin." Source: 15 April 2015 Watchtower article on disfellowshipping baptized members
"If, however, a baptized Witness makes a practice of breaking the Bible’s moral code and does not repent, he or she will be shunned or disfellowshipped. The Bible clearly states: “Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.”—1 Corinthians 5:13.” https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/shunning/
Although the official line is that they
"do not interfere with those who choose to serve in the armed forces”
that does not apply to baptized Witnesses. Taking up arms, going to war and taking life would be considered a serious sin.
Baptized Witnesses can be disfellowshipped for failing to repent from any serious sin that involves disobeying the Governing Body and the elders – even for speaking out against or challenging or questioning the authority of their leaders. Because the organization literature does not specifically state that joining the military is a serious sin does not mean to say it would result in being expelled (and then shunned). Another example would be if a baptized Witness accepted a blood transfusion and was unrepentant. Nowhere in the literature does it say that person would be disfellowshipped. All that is now said is that it is a matter of personal conscience. The reality, however, is different.
https://www.jw.org/en/search/?q=grounds+for+disfellowshipping https://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/w20150415/disfellowshipping-a-loving-provision/ https://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/w20061115/accept-jehovahs-discipline/
Additional information: Shepherd the Flock of God (2011) Elder’s Manual - Disfellowship Offences include:
No 2 – Apostasy which includes rebellion against Jehovah’s organization – Watchtower 63 7/1
No 19 – Non-neutral activities (involvement in politics and the military) – Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock (ks91-E) p.96
No 20 – Military service and non-military service including working casual work (certain civilian work has recently been made a conscience matter Watchtower 96 5/1 p.20) – Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock (ks91-E) p.96
No 17 – Loose conduct which includes disrespect to elders or contempt in a judicial meeting - ks91-E pp.93, 96, w83 3/15 p.31, w73 9/15 p.574, it-2 p.264, ks91-E p.93, w83 3/15 p.31, w73 9/15 pp.574-6, w97 9/1 p.14, it-2 p.246.
Upvote:3
This obviously doesn't get into the difficulty for a service member to actually get out of the service in any rapid way, even for the repentant JW. However, through my studies and conversations with JWs, I believe a JW would be kicked out and shunned for joining the military, repentant or not. Since WT doctrine says politics, and any association to it including military service, is against Jehovah's will, the JW would be disfellowshipped.
Even though they don't actually mention military service, the only articles i can find sort of relating to this are Why Don’t Jehovah’s Witnesses Go to War? and Why Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Maintain Political Neutrality?
More post
- 📝 According to Calvinists, what does "looking back" refer to in Luke 9:62?
- 📝 Looking for a digital copy of the book "Things Catholics are Asked About"
- 📝 Books of the New Testament for Greeks
- 📝 What exactly is the falsehood that St. Paul is referring to at Roman 3: 7?
- 📝 What is the history of the canon of the Bible in terms of 66 or 73 books (Catholic vs. Protestant)?
- 📝 Is there any evidence that people of Jewish descent came to the Americas before the birth of Christ Jesus
- 📝 What's the source of "I can only give what I have"?
- 📝 Do Latter Day Saints / Mormons consider themselves to be henotheists?
- 📝 What is the significance of water from Jesus' side?
- 📝 How does the Catholic Church visualize Jesus breathing over His disciples post-resurrecion?
- 📝 Into whose name should Christians be baptised?
- 📝 When was Jesus anointed and who did the anointing?
- 📝 What is the LDS Law of Common Consent and why is it important?
- 📝 Does the Origin of Religious Beliefs from Evolution cast doubt on Christian belief?
- 📝 What is the theological basis both body and blood being present in both the eucharist host and the wine? (Catholic perspective)
- 📝 Where in Scripture is the Holy Spirit said to be speaking directly?
- 📝 Does ex opere operato apply to infants?
- 📝 Did St. Paul know the doctrine of the Trinity?
- 📝 How old was Moses when he parted the Red Sea and how old was he when he received the Ten Commandments?
- 📝 According to Trinitarian theology of Calvinism, was the Word (2nd person of the Trinity) missing from heaven when He (the Word) incarnated on Earth?
- 📝 Where in the Bible does it show the Israelites worshiping gods on their way to the promised land?
- 📝 How do modalists understand the role of Jesus as mediator?
- 📝 Why don't most Protestants consider confession to be a sacrament?
- 📝 Is 1 Corinthians 15:27 problematic for trinitarians?
- 📝 Was Abel regenerated before the offering according to the Calvinist?
- 📝 Was the Catholic title "vicar of Christ" conceived as an "assistant" or an "agent"?
- 📝 Does the parish priest have the authority to forbid communion in the mouth due to COVID pandemic?
- 📝 Are there any denominations that have commented upon the significance of climate change in regard to these prophecies which point to Christ's return?
- 📝 Can somebody summarize the different "branches" of Christianity to me, and explain why they exist in the first place?
- 📝 Does the bible support Ethno-Nationalism?
Source: stackoverflow.com
Search Posts
Related post
- 📝 Would a JW be disfellowshipped if they join a military (and are unrepentant about it)?
- 📝 What does the Bible say about this question- Why do Jesus and God have two seats in heaven when they are the same God?
- 📝 Why wouldn't a practicing Catholic joke about the Sacraments and what would happen if they did?
- 📝 Are there documented reports about Jews around the time of Jesus? And what did they say about the first christians?
- 📝 Who would Cain be worried about slaying him in Gen 4:14? Up till this point, all that are mentioned are Adam, Eve, Cain and Abel
- 📝 What are the different names of God in the Bible and what do they mean?
- 📝 What are indulgences and when and why were they used?
- 📝 Is there a name for the belief that some individuals would always freely reject salvation no matter the world in which they are created?
- 📝 What is the source of the count of 40000 denominations, and how are they classified?
- 📝 What is the Meaning of Hebrews 2:11 - he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one
- 📝 What arguments would you give to teenagers who are unconcerned about eternal life?
- 📝 For Catholics who have expressed concern about Pope Francis and are wary of his pontificate, what are the key issues?
- 📝 According to Catholics were Adam and Eve aware that they possessed immortal souls before Satan told Eve that she would not die?
- 📝 Why did God create Adam and Eve so that they would sin?
- 📝 Why does the throne in Daniel 7:9 have wheels and are they literally wheels?
- 📝 According to the Catholic Church, what is to become of a family when the married couple discovers they are brother and sister?
- 📝 What are Christian theologeans referring to when they talk about "God's glory"?
- 📝 Do Lutherans believe that the sacraments are necessary for salvation (similar to Catholics), and if so, how do they reconcile this with Sola Fide?
- 📝 God and Satan in the book of Job: how did they know about this conversation?
- 📝 Are there any saints or mystics who had a vision of hell, and based on that made a judgment about how many people are in hell? (Catholic perspective)
- 📝 As a young Jew what would Jesus have been taught about heaven and hell?
- 📝 At the Last Supper what would the disciples make of what Jesus said about partaking of the bread and the wine?
- 📝 Are there verifiable written reports of Christians praying to God about recent events and receiving supernatural knowledge?
- 📝 According to proponents of creationism and intelligent design, are we clueless about the origin of life? James Tour vs. Dave Farina
- 📝 According to Catholicism, what are angels and what are they for?
- 📝 What are the origins of the theory, present in the "Didascalia Apostolorum", about the existence of a "First Law" and a "Second Law"?
- 📝 If the name of God and His Son are so important to the faith, then would it not be imperative that we use the proper name?
- 📝 Where did the idea of deacon's benches come from and what are they for?
- 📝 How can Christians know if they are truly saved and that Jesus won't tell them "..Depart from me, I never knew you," on judgement day?
- 📝 How do Christians discern if they are being called by God to ministry, and what ministry specifically?