In Mexico they handled the problem by bribing government officials and would be given their Cartilla stating they had done their 'marching'. Every male of age needed this Cartilla if they were ever to receive any government benefits in the future ... e.g. a passport.
Meanwhile in Malawai Jehovah's Witnesses were being bludgeoned to death, raped and pillaged for merely refusing to pay the tax that would privide them with the national identity card. It was seen as a political card.
Now it is all changed! In one swoop the Watchtower 'Jehovah' has changed his mind again ...... Jehovah's Witnesses are now permitted to do alternative service!
What's next? Blood transfusions?
The following is the official teaching as of May 1st. The Watchtower Elders all went to a special meeting world wide to receive this news ahead of time so they can handle the situations that might arise from it.
We'll begin by looking at their excuses for their old light first.
First Article starts on page 13. 1-May-96 Watchtower
"God and Caesar"
Progressive Understanding
of "the Superior Authorities"
12 As early as 1886, Charles Taze Russell wrote in the book The Plan of the Ages: "Neither Jesus nor the Apostles interfered with earthly rulers in any way . . . They taught the Church to obey the laws, and to respect those in authority because of their office, . . . to pay their appointed taxes, and except where they conflict with God's laws (Acts 4:19; 5:29) to offer no resistance to any established law (Rom. 13:1-7; Matt. 22:21) Jesus and the Apostles and the early church were all law abiding, though they were separate from, and took no share in the governments of this world." This book correctly identified "the higher powers," or "the superior authorities," mentioned by the apostle Paul, as human governmental authorities. (Ro-
12. (a) What did Charles Taze Russell view as the proper position of a Christian relative to the governmental authorities? (b) Regarding serving in the armed forces, what varied positioas did anointed Christians take during World War I?
mans 13:1, King James Version) In 1904 the book The New Creation stated that true Christians "should be found amongst the most law-abiding of the present time -not agitators, not quarrelsome, not fault-finders." This was understood by some to mean total submission to the powers that be, even to the point of accepting service in the armed forces during World War I. Others, however, viewed it as contrary to Jesus' statement: "All those who take the sword will perish by the sword." (Matthew 26:52) Obviously, a clearer understanding of Christian submission to the superior authorities was needed.
13. In 1929, at a time when laws of various governments were beginning to forbid things that God commands or demand things that God's laws forbid, it was felt that the higher powers must be Jehovah
13. What change in understanding of the identity of the higher powers was presented in 1929, and how did this prove beneficial?
God and Jesus Christ.* This was the understanding Jehovah's servants had during the crucial period before and during World War II and on into the Cold War, with its balance of terror and its military preparedness. Looking back, it must be said that this view of things, exalting as it did the supremacy of Jehovah and his Christ, helped God's people to maintain an uncompromisingly neutral stand throughout this dicult period.
Relative Submission
14. In 1961 the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures was completed. Its preparation had required an in-depth study of the textual language of the Scriptures. The precise translation of the words used not only in Romans chapter 13 but also in such passages as Titus 3:1, 2 and 1 Peter 2:13, 17 made it evident that the
*The Watchtower, June 1 and 15,1929.
14. How was increased light shed on Romans 13: 1, 2 and related scriptures in 1962?
Can You Explain?
* Why does subjection to the superiorterm "superior authorities" referred, not to the Supreme Authority, Jehovah, and to his Son, Jesus, but to human governmental authorities. In late 1962, articles were published in The Watchtower that gave an accurate explanation of Romans chapter 13 and also provided a clearer view than that held at the time of C. T Russell. These articles pointed out that Christian subjection to the authorities cannot be total. It must be relative, subject to its not bringing God's servants into conflict with God's laws. Further articles in The Watchtower have emphasized this important point.*
authorities not mean subjection to
Satan2
* What was Jesus' attitude toward the
politics of his day'
* What counsel did Jesus qive his
followers as to their dea mgs with
Caesar2
* How did Paul counsel Christians to
deal with the rulers of the nations2
* How has the understanding of the
identity of the superior authorities
developed over the years2
15 This key to the correct understanding of Romans chapter 13 has enabled Jehovah's people to balance due respect for the political authorities with an uncompromising stand on vital Scriptural principles. (Psalm 97:1 l; Jeremiah 3:15) It has allowed them to have a proper view of their relationship with God and their dealings with the State. It has ensured that while they pay back Caesar's things to Caesar, they do not neglect to pay back God's things to God.
16 But just what are Caesar's things? What legitimate claims can the State make on a Christian? These questions will be considered in the following article. ---
* See The Watchtower, November 1 and 15, December 1,1962; November 1,1990; February 1,1993; July 1,1994.
Interestingly, in his commentary on Romans chapter 13, Professor F. R Bruce writes: "It is plain from the immediate context, as from the general context of the apostolic writings, that the state can rightly command obedience only within the limits of the purposes for which it has been divinely instituted -in particular, the state not only may but must be resisted when it demands the allegiance due to God alone."
15, 16. (a) What better balance did the new understanding of Romans chapter 13 lead to? (b) What questions remain to be answered?
end of page 14 THE WATCHTOWER-MAY 1,1996
--
Second Article .....
THE WATCHTOWER-MAY 1,1996 page 18
"Paying Back Caesar's Things to Caesar"
Compulsory Military Service
11 Another demand made by Caesar in some countries is compulsory military service. In the 20th century, this arrangement has been instituted by most nations in times of war and by some in times of peace as well. In France this obligation was for many years called blood tax, meaning that every young man had to be willing to lay down his life for the State. Is this something that those dedicated to Jehovah can conscientiously render? How did the first-century Christians view this matter?
12 While the earliest Christians endeavored to be good citizens, their faith prevented them from taking the life of another or from sacrificing their own lives for the State. The Encyclopedia of Religion
11, 12. (a) What demand does Caesar make in many lands? (b) How did the early Christians view military service?
states: "The early church fathers, including Tertullian and Origen, armed that Christians were constrained from taking human life, a principle that prevented them from participating in the Roman army " In his book The Early Church and the World, Professor C. J. Cadoux writes: "Up to the reign of Marcus Aurelius at least [161-180 C.E.], no Christian would become a soldier after his baptism."
13 Why do members of the churches of Christendom not view things this way today? Because of a radical change that took place in the fourth century The Catholic work A History of the Christian Councils explains: "Many Christians, . . . under the pagan emperors, had religious scruples with regard to military service, and positively refused to take arms, or else deserted. The Synod [of Arles, held in 314 C.E.], in considering the changes introduced by Constantine, set forth the obligation that Christians have to serve in war, . . . because the Church is at peace (in pace) under a prince friendly to Christians." As a result of this abandonment of Jesus' teachings, from that time until now, the clergy of Christendom have encouraged their flocks to serve in the armies of the nations, although some individuals have taken a stand as conscientious objectors.
14 Are Christians today obliged to follow the majority in this matter? No. If a dedicated, baptized Christian lives in a country where exemption from military service is granted to ministers of religion, he may avail himself of this provision, for he is in 13. Why do most in Christendom not view military service as the early Christians did?
14, 15. (a) On what grounds do Christians in some laces claim exemption from military service? (b) Where exemption is not available, what Scriptural principles will help a Christian to make a correct decision in the matter of military service?
(..end of page 18 THE WATCHTOWER-MAY 1,1996)
fact a minister. (2 Timothy 4:5) A number of countries, including the United States and Australia, have granted such exemption even in wartime. And during peacetime, in many lands that maintain compulsory military service, Jehovah's Witnesses, as ministers of religion, are granted exemption. Thus they can continue helping the people by their public service.
15 What, though, if the Christian lives in a land where exemption is not granted to ministers of religion? Then he will have to make a personal decision following his Bible-trained conscience. (Galatians 6:5) While taking the authority of Caesar into account, he will weigh carefully what he owes to Jehovah. (Psalm 36:9; 116:12-14; Acts 17:28) The Christian will remember that the mark of a true Christian is love for all his fellow believers, even those who live in other lands or those belonging to other tribes. (John 13:34, 35;1 Peter 2:17) Further, he will not forget the Scriptural principles found in texts such as Isaiah 2:2-4; Matthew 26:52; Romans 12:18;14:19; 2 Corinthians 10:4; and Hebrews 12:14.
Civilian Service
15 However, there are lands where the State, while not allowing exemption for ministers of religion, nevertheless acknowledges that some individuals may object to military service. Many of these lands make provision for such conscientious individuals not to be forced into military service. In some places a required civilian service, such as useful work in the community, is regarded as nonmilitary national service. Could a dedicated Christian undertake such service? Here again, a dedicated, baptized Christian would have to make his own decision on the basis of his Bible-trained conscience.
16. In some lands, what nonmilitary service does Caesar demand of those who do not accept military service?
l7 It seems that compulsory service was practiced in Bible times. One history book states: "In addition to the taxes and dues exacted from the inhabitants of Judea, there was also a corvee [unpaid labor exacted by public authorities]. This was an ancient institution in the East, which the Hellenistic and Roman authorities continued to maintain. . . . The New Testament, too, cites examples of corv4e in Judea, showing how widespread it was. In accordance with this custom, the soldiers pressed Simon of Cyrene into carrying Jesus' cross [torture stake] (Matthew 5:41; 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26)."
18 Similarly, citizens in some countries today are required by the State or by local authorities to participate in various forms of community service. Sometimes this is for a
17. Is there a Biblical precedent for nonmilitary civilian service?
18. With what nonmilitary, nonrcligious types of community service do Jehovah's Witnesses frequently cooperate?
Can You Explain?
* In balancing his relationships with
Caesar and Jehovah, what is a
Christian's first concern?
* What do we owe to Jehovah that
we can never give to Caesar?
* What are some things that we prop-
erly give back to Caesar?
* What scriptures help us to make a
correct decision in the matter of
compulsory military service?
* What are some thin s to keep in
mind if we are called for nonmilitary
national civilian service2
* Regarding Jehovah and Caesar,
what do We keep on doing?
(..end of page 19 THE WATCHTOWER-MAY 1, 1996 )
specific task, such as digging wells or building roads; sometimes it is on a regular basis, such as weekly participation in cleaning up roads, schools, or hospitals. Where such civilian service is for the good of the community and is not connected with false religion or is not in some other way objectionable to the consciences of Jehovah's Witnesses, they have often complied. (1 Peter 2:13-15) This has usually resulted in an excellent witness and has sometimes silenced those who falsely accuse the Witnesses of being antigovernment.-Compare Matthew 10:18.
19 What, though, if the State requires a Christian for a period of time to perform civilian service that is a part of national service under a civilian administration? Here again, Christians must make their own decision based on an informed conscience. "We shall all stand before the judgment seat of God." (Romans 14:10) Christians faced with a requirement of Caesar should prayerfully study the matter and meditate on it." It may also be wise to talk the matter over with mature Christians in the congregation. After this a personal decision must be made. -Proverbs 2:1-5; Philippians 4:5.
20 While engaged in such research, Christians would consider a number of Bible principles. Paul said that we must "be obedient to governments and authorities as rulers, . . . be ready for every good work. . . be reasonable, exhibiting all mildness toward all men." (Titus 3:1, 2) At the same time, Christians would do well to examine the proposed civilian work. If they accept it, will they be able to maintain Christian neutral-
---
* See The Watchtower of May 15,1964, page 308, paragraph 21.
19 How should a Christian approach the matter if Caesar asks him to perform nonmilitary national service for a period of time?
20 What questions and Scriptural principles help a Christian to reason on the matter of non-military national civilian service?
ity? (Micah 4:3, 5; John 17:16) Would it in volve them with some false religion? (Revelation 18:4, 20, 21) Would performing it prevent or unreasonably limit them from fulfilling their Christian responsibilities? (Matthew 24:14; Hebrews 10:24, 25) On the other hand, would they be able to continue to make spiritual progress, perhaps even sharing in the full-time ministry while performing the required service?-Hebrews 6: 11,12.
21 What if the Christian's honest answers to such questions lead him to conclude that the national civilian service is a "good work" that he can perform in obedience to the authorities? That is his decision before Je- hovah. Appointed elders and others should fully respect the conscience of the brother and continue to regard him as a Christian in good standing. If, however, a Christian feels that he cannot perform this civilian
service, his position should also be respected. He too remains in good standing and should receive loving support.-1 Corinthians 10:29; 2 Corinthians 1:24;1 Peter 3:16.
22 As Christians we will not cease to render "to him who calls for honor, such honor." (Romans 13:7) We will respect good order and seek to be peaceful, law-abiding citizens. (Psalm 34:14) We may even pray "concerning kings and all those who are in high station" when these men are called upon to make decisions that affect our Christian life and work. As a result of our paying back Caesar's things to Caesar, we hope that "we may go on leading a calm and quiet life with full godly devotion and seriousness." (1 Timothy 2:1, 2) Above all, we will continue to preach the good news of the Kingdom as mankind's only hope, conscientiously paying back God's things to God.
21. Whatever his decision, how should the congregation view a brother who is handling the matter of nonmilitary national civilian service? 22. Whatever situation faces us, what will we continue to do?
--end of article page 20
Thanks to Chris Arndt for typing this in for everyone to see.