Jehovah's Witnesses are instructed by their leaders to never salute a flag, pledge allegiance to, or ever to sing the national anthem of any nation because this activity is idolotry.
QUOTE
"There are other challenges besides persecution that call for courage on our part. For some, talking to strangers about the good news is a challenge. The courage of some schoolchildren is tested when they are called upon to recite a pledge of allegiance to the country or to the flag. Since such a pledge is virtually a religious expression, Christian children have boldly resolved to act in a way that pleases God, and their fine record has been heartwarming" (Watchtower of 3/1/2003 page 9 paragraph 5)
End of quote.
This has been going on for decades and I doubt that any JW would dispute my source. My question has to do with why the presidents of the Watchtower Organization are allowed to do this:
Further, I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of The United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations, or purpose of evasion; so help me God.
So, Why Can't Jehovah's Witnesses Pledge Allegiance To Any Nation When Their Leaders Do?
Reference Sources
Watchtower Documents web page
http://www.watchtowerdocuments.com/downloads/2008_Jehovahs_Witnesses_and_National_Oaths_of_Allegiance.pdf
WT 9/15/2002 Pages 21-22
Watchtower of 3/1/2003 page 9 paragraph 5
Scan of WT Pres. Nathan Knorr's signature swearing allegiance to the United States of America.
http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/Watchtower_Facts/oathknorr.jpg
List of other WT presidents who also pledged allegiance to the USA in stark disregard for watchtower policy against idolotrous activities:
Application for United States passport #B1494270 issued to Nathan Homer Knorr on May 21, 1971, at the New York Passport Agency (approved May 19, 1971)
Application for United States passport by Charles Taze Russell issued March 7, 1910, (Passport Application Number 21454)
Application for United States passport by Joseph Franklyn Rutherford issued April 1, 1922, (Passport Application Number 136794)
Application for United States passport #733078 issued to Milton George Henschel approved September 22, 1952
False Dates Slideshow
Friday, October 24, 2008
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4 comments:
Nonsense! By the way, "the truth" as seen through one person's eyes is not necessarily the truth. It is simply that person's viewpoint.
Nonesense?
Another closed mind working overtime to accomplish nothing.
And of course this is from my point of view. Who else's would I blog about, yours? Anonymous?
Good point. Here's a real life experience on this issue:
My family was from '58-'70 a part of the Columbia Heights Congregation which met downstairs in Brooklyn Bethel. Because it was so convenient for the members of the Governing Body we were used to seeing them at meetings when they were in town. Mostly, though they were gone, often on international trips which they wold occasionally tell us about.
In 1960 I graduated from high school in NYC. In those days all graduating seniors were required to sign a loyalty oath to get the diplomas they'd worked for. Hayden Covington, the Society's Constitutional lawyer wrote a letter on my behalf to the Board of Regents in order for me to get my diploma without having to take that oath.
Imagine how I felt when not long afterward I applied for a passport and found every American was required to sign the EXACT SAME LOYALTY OATH in order to receive a passport! I knew then that every American on GB (all but 1-2 in those days) HAD TO HAVE SIGNED that very oath that signing would have once described "disloyalty to Jehovah's Kingdom Government".
BTW, I DID sign the oath and I DID get my first passport. Never again did I put my trust in the WT's 'do what I say, not what I do' twist on "Truth".
Today, older and wiser, I suspect that I was selected by the Society and Covington for convenience, hoping to make a federal case out of this oath. (There must have been hundreds of other JW's graduating at the same time, but none lived as close to HQ! as I did.) It was wise of the board to mail my diploma without comment.
Great evidence. Keep up the great work.
Feel free to visit my blog:
http://www.cult-recovery.blogspot.com/
Kimberly
aka "Blessed"
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