(RNS) Four Jehovah's Witnesses have been charged with sexually abusing 19 children in their congregations, Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced in a news conference Thursday. The Thompson Falls trial that begins Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, is one of dozens of lawsuits filed nationwide over the last decade alleging mismanagement of sexual abuse claims by Jehovah's Witness clergy and members. One thing I would do is go after these school officials who have larger budgets with fewer students and then cut teachers from the staff while claiming it is because of budget cuts. My honey was called to jury duty. In balancing factors, Christians should consider whether they can submit to certain demands made by Caesar. (Deuteronomy 1:16, 17) Valid as such points are, responding to a direction to report for jury duty is different from involving oneself in the business of others. After a number of days, a persons jury duty is fulfilled, whether he has actually sat as a juror or not. A jury is a group of people randomly selected to make decisions at a trial in a court of law. If so guilty if not not guilty. Ask your doctor for a letter to excuse you for a period of time, i.e 6 months or a year. The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Committee on Ethics developed a Statement on Recommendations for Surgeons Caring for Patients Who Are Jehovah's Witnesses. `At the end of Schedule 1 to the Juries Act 1974 there shall be added "those who object on grounds of religious belief to serving on juries.".' [Mr. Peter Archer.] It's all good. I have been through it twice. He counseled: "You must all obey the governing authorities. Even in other ways, might this sort of problem arise for a Christian juror? Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome . ! Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. For example, in the United States, a grand jury of from 12 to 23 members decides whether there is enough evidence for a person to be indicted for a criminal offense; it does not determine guilt or innocence. : Can someone tell me why we were not allowed to to this? But even if you live where such juries are not used, you can profitably consider the question, for some of the relevant Bible principles can apply to you if you are asked to judge in a dispute on your job or to mediate some dispute in your neighborhood. I recently served on a Jury panel for a court case. (1 Pet. "?1 Peter 2:14. Serve on jury duty. In a criminal case, they are to determine whether the evidence supports a guilty verdict. Christians do not ?oppose the authority? For example, on a grand jury, the jurors decide whether the evidence warrants someone's being brought to trial; they do not determine guilt. . During the trial she realized that on her job at the hospital she had seen X rays of the victim, which were rejected as evidence at the trial. Legal Statement. The amount was later reduced to $15.6 million, including $8.6 million in punitive damages. A jury of 12 or so persons hears the evidence and determines guilt or innocence. Sounds right up their alley. Others have felt compelled to decline even in the face of punishment. This view is of interest to Christians because of what the apostle Paul wrote about governmental superior authorities. He counseled: You must all obey the governing authorities. MANY persons look to the court or judicial system for justice. What scriptures do you think he had in mind? latest (Romans 13:7) That is straightforward as to a monetary tax. Socrates was tried by 501 jurors. Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY. Each Christian has to decide for himself what he will do, and others should not criticize his decision. The jury duty excuse letter template is an opportunity for the juror to grasp. words in Matthew 7:1, 2: "Stop judging that you may not be judged; for with what judgment you are judging, you will be judged." We are happy to help those interested in the Bible or in our worldwide work. This can explain why the WTS has distanced itself officially and does not have an official position for or against jury duty. If a person cannot be exempted when called for jury duty even after explaining matters to the judge, he can, nevertheless, state his conscientious scruples regarding a case when questioned by the lawyers before the trial begins. God?s people recognize Jehovah as the Supreme Judge. by HappyDad Video lessons designed to help parents train their children to become Jehovah's friend. I know they are supposed to say they are neautal when questioned for jury duty and they couldn't say if they found someone guilty or not because that's Gods job etc etc. Here & Now Compass or redistributed. Such "stand placed in their relative positions by God," and they make and enforce laws. John 2:1-11. Still, most people have only a vague idea of how juries are selected and what they do. They generally do not feel they should, but it is their favorite hobby! From a pool of persons called for jury duty, some are selected at random as potential jurors for a particular case. Some jurors have consulted horoscopes, given in to personal prejudice or yielded to pressures from others in making a decision. ?Romans 13:1-4; Titus 3:1. And it is noteworthy that in most places being a juror does not involve sharing in political matters, which a Christian would not do because of his neutral position. What of a common trial? As far as they personally are concerned, Jehovah?s witnesses generally do not feel that they should sit as judges of other people. A father, daughter and strip club bouncer convicted of murder in 2015 are entitled to a new trial because the judge on the case unfairly kept a Jehovah's Witness off the jury, an appeals court . Jehovah?s witnesses recognize that what people do with reference to jury duty is a personal matter, governed by the dictates of conscience. Non-Exempt Employees. While referring to the judiciary of secular courts as "unrighteous men," Paul did not deny that such had a place in handling secular affairs. I was summoned once. (Compare Genesis 39:17-20; 1 Timothy 5:22.) It is not as if secular courts are fundamentally wrong.Acts 24:10; 25:10, 11. jw File - In this Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015, file photo, the iconic Watchtower sign is seen on the roof of 25-30 Columbia Heights, then world headquarters of the Jehovah's Witnesses, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. by freddi A jury of 12 or so persons hears the evidence and determines guilt or innocence. Lack of child or dependent care. Since registering to vote 2 years ago, I have been called on the pool three times and had to go in once. EXEMPTION FROM JURY SERVICE. The nurse, having studied the Bible with Jehovahs Witnesses, resisted for days. 29-31 - Awake!1980 Questions From Readers (2 occurrences) The Associated Press generally does not name people who say they are a victim of a sex crime. What were the odds? Thus it can be seen why serving on a jury might lead to serious conflicts of conscience. What of a common trial? Copyright 2001-2015 Jehovah's Witness Discussion Forum | JW.Org Community Information. ONLINE LIBRARY. In some lands, the judicial system uses juries selected from the citizenry. Later, King Henry III of England provided for the accused to be judged by his neighbors. He has to analyze the legal evidence put forward in the legal hearing and give an unbiased decision. Since I regestered to vote a few years ago and actually voted for the first time in this presidential primary, my name is on the county hotlist and I received a summons for jury duty in the middle of July. 2:1-4; Acts 5:29) Hence, some Christians have concluded that they ought to accept jury duty. HELENA, Mont. Next day he went back to the judge and told him he was a JW. Some Christians have viewed jury service as rendering to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. Others have felt compelled to decline even in the face of punishment. HELENA, Mont. Of course, if the hardship was great I guess I would be saying something else. From a pool of persons called for jury duty, some are selected at random as potential jurors for a particular case. g80 1/22 pp. Court may postpone jury service to another term. | Georgia Military Jury Duty Excuse I never wanted to do it until the OJ trial. I kind of agree with you, but I think it is a matter of civic duty, and I am happy to do my part after so many years of thinking it was all evil in the JWs. ONLINE LIBRARY. What they did thereafter was another matter, as the Bible shows. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Jehovah's Witness Rules About Divorce Jehovah's Witnesses are not allowed to: Apply for a divorce without proving to the elders that their spouse is guilty of adultery. The jury awarded the 21-year-old woman $4 million for her injuries, plus $30 million in punitive damages against Watchtower and $1 million in punitive damages against the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, another Jehovah's Witness corporation that communicates with congregations across the U.S. 12 Replies They really should provide better compensation since people are taking time off work for that. (Exodus 18:13-22; Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 21:18-21) By the time Jesus was on earth, the judicial function was handled by the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court. This is a petit (small) jury, in contrast with a grand jury. Some Christians have reported for jury duty and have served on certain juries. MANY persons look to the court or judicial system for justice. You're awesome, Blondie! Attend other Christian churches . Naturally, if you live where the possibility exists of being called for jury duty, you might well ask, Should a Christian serve on a jury? Many Christians have in good conscience concluded that Bible principles do not rule out appearing, even as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego complied with the directive of the Babylonian government to appear on the plain of Dura and as Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem at the direction of the Roman authorities. 22:21) Since the Bible does not pointedly discuss jury duty, each one must personally decide what to do after considering all that is involved in jury service, as well as Bible principles and his own conscience. "Their national headquarters, called Watchtower, they control when and if anyone within their organization reports child abuse," Smith said. While the Bible upholds a governments right to execute a murderer, the individual asked to serve as a juror might question whether he could decide solely on the information presented at a trial. Paul wrote: "It is Gods minister to you for your good. I've never been summoned for jury duty, but my mom was - more than a year after she died. Any who are dismissed from that jury panel return to the jury pool to await random selection for other cases. a Jesus attended such a feast in the city of Cana early in his ministry.. (Some may be exempted because they have strong personal, conscientious objections to jury service.) Then the government uses its authority "to express wrath upon the one practicing what is bad," or "to inflict punishment on evildoers. Not all reporting for jury duty necessarily sit as jurors in a trial. Some Christians have viewed jury service as rendering to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. Credit:AP Photo/Matt Rourke Sign up for our newsletterto get our investigations and reporters' insights delivered straight to your inbox. (Luke 20:25) In jury duty the task is to hear evidence and offer an honest opinion on points of fact or law. A different problem is illustrated with a nurse in Texas who was a juror at the trial of a young man, son of a prominent family, who was accused of beating to death another youth. What was clear was that if he refused it, the WTBTS would not pay his legal costs. by Nancy Drake I would love that duty. How much did it cost for 1 dozen of donuts in 1970? They can actually investigate things. WhatistheattitudeofJehovah'sWitnessestowardjuryduty?U.S.A. Therefore, one must recognize that the main rule of Jehovah's Witnesses is to believe everything that is presented to them by their Governing Body, even if such beliefs were changed from past understanding, or even if such believes will change with future understanding. This is an authorized Web site of Jehovah's Witnesses. As time went by, the jury system changed into an arrangement whereby a group of citizens were to hear a case and reach a verdict based on evidence. I was new to the "conscience matter" double meaning, so I told my honey he was free to serve. Rats! But My dad was picked for a murder trial anyways while he was an elder (this was like 20 years ago). "Watchtower instructed everyone involved that they were not to report the matter to authorities. Yet, authorities are increasingly eliminating exemptions so that all are obliged to report for jury duty, perhaps repeatedly over the years. It is something to consider. (Matt. A Pennsylvania grand jury is investigating Jehovah's Witnesses for alleged sex-abuse cover-up, man who testified says. Military duty - may also be a valid reason to ask to be excused from jury duty. Still others have accepted any jury assignment, feeling that it is Caesars right to oblige persons to serve in the civil capacity of hearing evidence and honestly deciding on questions of fact or guilt. This Biblical counsel certainly should alert Christians to be slow about getting involved in others personal differences, especially those outside the congregation. Jury duty is mandatory for all summoned citizens unless excused. Paul directed the brothers to expel the wrongdoer. This contradicts countless scriptures which . Announcement. Naturally, if you live where the possibility exists of being called for jury duty, you might well ask, Should a Christian serve on a jury? Market data provided by Factset. The women say they reported the abuse to church elders, who handled the matter internally after consulting with the national organization. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! I would love that duty. . (1 Corinthians 6:1) He defended himself in the Roman judicial setting, even appealing his case to Caesar. A teacher walks into the Classroom and says If only Yesterday was Tomorrow Today would have been a Saturday Which Day did the Teacher make this Statement? Some have referred to Jesus? 2:1-4; Acts 5:29) Hence, some Christians have concluded that they ought to accept jury duty. Within the United States, the situation in one state may be quite different from that in another state. Nine Dollars . The Montana case is one of dozens that have been filed nationwide over the past decade alleging Jehovah's Witnesses mismanaged or covered up the sexual abuse of children. The use of juries is not universal. ?Acts 24:10; 25:10, 11. New languages available: Arosi, Ayiwo, Bauro, Kibala, Kuvale (Mucubal), Trinidad and Tobago Sign Language. Take part in any protest or strike. never been on a jury but I have been in the standby pool for my District court. Being one of JWs is not enough to get you out of jury duty. Jehovah's Witnesses believe Jesus is Michael the archangel, the highest created being. This is very true. While the Bible upholds a government?s right to execute a murderer, the individual asked to serve as a juror might question whether he could decide solely on the information presented at a trial. Some Christians have refused jury duty, perhaps mentioning to the authorities how impractical it would be to compel a person to sit through a trial and then have a "hung jury" because he feels he would not want to pass judgment on anyone?s guilt. (Daniel 3:1-12; Luke 2:1-4) There are, though, factors that sincere Christians can consider. . However, the 1977 Act still The second passage pertains to a case of wrongdoing in the Corinthian congregation. Some Christians in this situation have used the time to do informal witnessing. Mail : Clerk's Office, 901 Richland Street, Columbia, SC . Sometimes life gets busy, and jury duty can seem like an unnecessary inconvenience in your schedule. What is the attitude of Jehovah?s Witnesses toward jury duty??U.S.A. If any Jehovah's Witness is deemed to be an apostate, she or he will be disfellowshipped. The Adventist movement emerged in the 1830s around the . It was felt that since they knew the accused, their judgment would be fairer than procedures in which he tried to prove his innocence by combat or by surviving some ordeal. MARRIAGE & FAMILY. What if a Christian does not feel that his conscience permits him to serve on a particular jury? Thanks Mis. The Jews readily said: "His blood come upon us and upon our children. The elders expelled the abuser from the congregation in 2004 then reinstated him the next year, the lawsuit states, and the abuse of the girl who is now 21 continued. Juries are an important part of the criminal justice system in America. Though years have now passed, her conscience still troubles her; she feels that she was part of a miscarriage of justice. Jehovah's Witnesses to use the time during which the blood transfusion can be postponed to furnish documentary evidence of the patient's refusal of blood transfusion, if such exists. Secular courts are a function of "the superior authorities." One must pay for his/her own lunch also! Jehovah's Witnesses may object and say they have gotten away with doing some of the things on this list. Serving as a juror is often described as a valid civic duty. And in the state of Colorado persons who can prove by documents that they are Jehovah's witnesses are granted exemption from jury duty. I got called for jury duty long before I ever became a registered voter. 22:21) Since the Bible does not pointedly discuss jury duty, each one must personally decide what to do after considering all that is involved in jury service, as well as Bible principles and his own conscience. To avoid undue hardship, an agency may adjust the . Two others told. That's how I feel. Some jurors have consulted horoscopes, given in to personal prejudice or yielded to pressures from others in making a decision. Jehovah's Witness, member of a millennialist denomination that developed within the larger 19th-century Adventist movement in the United States and has since spread worldwide. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions.
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