So What Do Jehovah's Witnesses Think About McCain and Obama?
During This Values Voters
and Creepy Christofascist Presidential Campaign...
Just Where do Jehovah's Witnesses Fit In?
From Wikipedia:
Jehovah's Witnesses believe their allegiance belongs to God's Kingdom, which is viewed as an actual government. Thus they refrain from saluting the flag of any country or singing nationalistic songs.They believe that these acts are tantamount to worship. The political neutrality of Jehovah's Witnesses is also expressed by their refusal to participate in military service – even when it is compulsory – and by their detachment from secular politics. Voting in political elections is considered a compromise of their Christian neutrality.
How unpatriotic!! How Cult-like! But to a certain extent...
How reasonable. Witnesses seem to realize that convergence of politics and religion does not make for a healthy nation. Since they consider secular government inconsequential to their religion, they are not hypocritical in forcing government to bend to their values. They don't run for office. How sane. They do not hold Values Voters Summits. How perfectly humble. While others are holding picket signs and screaming during Gay Pride Parades, Jehovah's Witnesses are quietly standing on the sidelines holding copies of Watchtower and Awake! If they are Christians - they are DIGNIFIED Christians.
I get an rss feed from a king of "blog" called ChristiaNet.com a which there has been an argument as to whether or not Jehovah's Witnesses are a "cult" with all the pejorative meanings of the word. Religious intolerance abounds during these free-for-alls. Needless to say, they are never dignified.
Example:
A destructive cult of false teachings, that frequently result in spiritual and psychological abuse, as well as needless deaths (bogus blood transfusion ban).Yes,you can 'check out anytime you want but you can never leave',because they can and will hold your family hostage.
The world has the Internet now,and there are tens of thousands of pages up from disgruntled ex-Jehovah's Witnesses like myself who have been abused by the Watchtower cult.Jehovah's Witnesses are often a mouth that prays a hand that kills.The Watchtower is a truly Orwellian world.
I've heard that said about the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints as well.
Religions hating other religions. Who to believe? What to believe?
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1 comment:
In the interest of not diving into black-and-white thinking...
One can generally find admirable qualities and achievements from any highly disciplined group. It's true that JWs have helped codify some basic human rights in the USA and elsewhere by litigation -- e.g. the right to refuse saluting the flag. And their adamant refusal to accept blood transfusions (backed up with the threat of lawsuits against anyone who impedes them) has spurred innovative research into blood substitues and bloodless sugery, which has benefited many other people.
Similarly, in general, devotees of the FLDS are hardworking, devout people who succeed in living a simple, healthy, ethical life.
If one views these groups in this sort of (rose-colored) light, the mantra "Freedom of Religion Trumps All" seems to make some sense.
The real story, though, at least for those who are able to see shades of gray, isn't so pristine either (and it's also not all Satinically black).
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