I recently served on a Jury panel for a court case. He asked the elders for advice and they told him to look it up himself. 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. Though years have now passed, her conscience still troubles her; she feels that she was part of a miscarriage of justice. This can explain why the WTS has distanced itself officially and does not have an official position for or against jury duty. The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Committee on Ethics developed a Statement on Recommendations for Surgeons Caring for Patients Who Are Jehovah's Witnesses. by Nancy Drake latest I just love this statement. 14:1-4,10) However, a minister might well refer to Luke 12:13, 14 and 1Corinthians 5:126:8. What of a common trial? . (Mark 15:1; Acts 5:27-34) There was no provision for the average Jew to be on a civil jury. 2:1-4; Acts 5:29) Hence, some Christians have concluded that they ought to accept jury duty. He went on to state that Christians should strive to avoid even taking their grievances or disputes to worldly courts for handling. matters should be confined to the congregation, rather than be a juror in a secular court of law. Pay every government official what he has a right to ask?whether it be direct tax or indirect, fear or honour."?Rom. In some lands, the judicial system uses juries selected from the citizenry. This contradicts countless scriptures which . In the event of absences due to jury duty, witness duty, or temporary military duty, if an employee works any part of a week and misses the rest of the week for jury, witness, or military duty, he or she must receive the full salary for the workweek, but if they miss a full week, no pay is due for that week (see 29 C.F.R. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. What does this mean emulate what you respect in your friends? The Jehovah's Witnesses must pay $35 million to a woman who says the church's national organization ordered Montana clergy members not to report her sexual abuse as a child at the hands of a congregation member, a jury ruled in a verdict. He had a change of heart. The Office of Public Information at the World Headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses responded to the verdict with an unsigned statement. 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. 5:12, 13. Also, the attorneys for each side have the prerogative to dismiss a few jurors. Thus it can be seen why serving on a jury might lead to serious conflicts of conscience. 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. jehovahisgod, Feb 21, 2017. When confronted with an opportunity to handle a legal dispute, their Exemplar the Lord Jesus Christ turned it down, saying: "Who appointed me judge or apportioner over you persons?" (Rom. Within the United States, the situation in one state may be quite different from that in another state. Two others told. Some Christians have reported for jury duty and have served on certain juries. Sorry, there was an error loading the video. Occasionally, an individual is permanently excused for religious reasons, such as a Jehovah's Witness who believes he or she cannot sit in judgment of others. Jehovah's Witnesses may object and say they have gotten away with doing some of the things on this list. 14:1-4, 10) However, a minister might well refer to Luke 12:13, 14 and 1 Corinthians 5:12?6:8. Then the judge identifies the parties and their attorneys and describes the nature of the case. OK jury duty no problem for me on a Christian level it's not my business to decide guilt inocence or sentence. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.". 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. Then the government uses its authority "to express wrath upon the one practicing what is bad," or "to inflict punishment on evildoers. HC Deb 20 June 1988 vol 135 cc883-906 883. Gods people recognize Jehovah as the Supreme Judge. (Gen. 9:5, 6) Or a case could involve abortion, divorce, child custody, or another issue on which the Christian follows God?s thinking even when the law of the land differs. Understandably, Paul did not here mention serving on a jury, for under Roman rule there were no citizens? (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. To request a deferral from jury duty, you must submit a completed copy of your "Jury Information Form", with the request written out. Some jurors have consulted horoscopes, given in to personal prejudice or yielded to pressures from others in making a decision. A jury of 12 or so persons hears the evidence and determines guilt or innocence. 3:16) Other Christians, though, have accepted jury duty but have asked to be excused from those cases where they felt their Bible-based thinking would be at variance with secular laws. This is very true. (1 Corinthians 6:1) He defended himself in the Roman judicial setting, even appealing his case to Caesar. All rights reserved. Each Christian has to decide for himself what he will do, and others should not criticize his decision. Announcement. . (Matt. (Luke 4:18, 43) Jesus response may have moved the man to use the method for settling disputes that was set out in Gods Law. Which item does not have a food-contact surface? In jury duty the task is to hear evidence and offer an honest opinion on points of fact or law. i didn't think so. There is variety in the types of juries, the number of jurors, and what is involved in reaching a verdict. I've been out of work for four months. He and the attorneys examine each potential juror. Others have felt compelled to decline even in the face of punishment. When confronted with an opportunity to handle a legal dispute, their Exemplar the Lord Jesus Christ turned it down, saying: "Who appointed me judge or . A legal challenge to that law is pending before the Montana Supreme Court. . Jury duty within the past year. 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. Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY. He has to analyze the legal evidence put forward in the legal hearing and give an unbiased decision. HELENA, Mont. Legal Statement. (Exodus 22:2; Deuteronomy 21:8; 22:8; Jeremiah 2:34; Matthew 23:35; Acts 18:6) At Jesus trial Pilate wanted to be "innocent of the blood of this man." I was looking forward to it. What scriptures do you think he had in mind? Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. What were the odds? (Mark 15:1; Acts 5:27-34) There was no provision for the average Jew to be on a civil jury. In a headline-making decision, a California jury awarded her $28 million, the largest verdict against the organization at the time. During my 38 yrs as a witness I was called to jury duty three times. I helped him research the advice, and I found the 1997 article above (current light). Military duty - may also be a valid reason to ask to be excused from jury duty. In the state of Georgia, any person 70 years of age or older is entitled to make a request to the board of jury commissioners or its clerk in writing, accompanied by an affidavit giving the person's name, age, and such other information as the board may require, in order to be excluded from further jury duty. (Rom. He confessed to committing many of these criminal offenses to the Grand Jury, and admitted to a life-long struggle with deviant impulses. As far as they personally are concerned, Jehovah?s witnesses generally do not feel that they should sit as judges of other people. 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. years ago I worked in small town radio. From a pool of persons called for jury duty, some are selected at random as potential jurors for a particular case. Will require a letter from superior. If a guilty verdict is in error and the death penalty is imposed, would a Christian on the jury share bloodguilt? God?s people recognize Jehovah as the Supreme Judge. jw If a Christian reported for jury duty, as directed by the government, but because of his personal conscience declined to serve on a particular case despite the insistence of the judge, the Christian should be prepared to face the consequencesbe that a fine or imprisonment.1 Peter 2:19. 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. This is a petit (small) jury, in contrast with a grand jury. latest However, the 1977 Act still Serve on jury duty. Video lessons designed to help parents train their children to become Jehovah's friend. Jehovah?s witnesses recognize that what people do with reference to jury duty is a personal matter, governed by the dictates of conscience. friends. 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. know that I have requested exemption. Childcare (dependent care) If you are the sole childcare provider for your child(ren) and cannot afford daycare, this can be a legitimate excuse from serving in jury duty. 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 anyones guilt. Some have referred to Jesus 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. However, the context shows that Jesus was speaking about a personal or private type of judging, such as criticizing the personal habits and preferences of others. Having the. However, I would rather spend the time on jury duty than having to go to the Grand Boasting Session. When I was at Bethel, Bethelites LOVED jury duty. However, the context shows that Jesus was speaking about a personal or private type of judging, such as criticizing the personal habits and preferences of others. (Compare Genesis 39:17-20; 1 Timothy 5:22.) jw What is the moral lesson of at wars end by rony diaz? (West Virginia vs Everly). 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. It's all good. ! Pay during witness duty will not exceed the pay for the employee's normal workday and the employee's workweek. a Jesus attended such a feast in the city of Cana early in his ministry.. especially if you are not given all the facts in the trial. Even if you are called to jury duty, it does not necessarily mean you will serve. A jury is a group of citizens who try an accused charged with a criminal offence. by freddi i think otherwise he would have done it. In a civil case, the jury might award damages or compensation. I thought that they got the names for jury duty off poll registrations for voting. 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