?Matthew 5:41. The apostle Paul urged "holy ones" in Corinth to settle differences within the congregation. (AP) 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. (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. In a criminal case, they are to determine whether the evidence supports a guilty verdict. Still, most people have only a vague idea of how juries are selected and what they do. A juror is an employee called for the duty as a member of the jury. This was far more than the usual $3 per day. (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." We discuss the top three things that identify the Jehovah's Witnesses as collective narcissists: 1) Persecution Complex 2) Belief that they are the only true religion 3) They believe they are. How much did it cost for 1 dozen of donuts in 1970? So could he agree, such as when being examined for jury selection, to make his decisions strictly according to civil law? (Luke 12:13, 14) Jesus came to declare the Kingdom good news, not to arbitrate legal matters. What does this mean emulate what you respect in your friends? If any Jehovah's Witness is deemed to be an apostate, she or he will be disfellowshipped. The Bible does not mention jury duty, so he cannot say, ?It is against my religion to serve on any jury.? If I'm part of the selection, it could be one day, a few, or many, depending on the case. 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. Which item does not have a food-contact surface? 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. do witnesses participate in jury duty? Pa. attorney general charges four Jehovah's Witnesses with sexual abuse of 19 children Charges stem from a grand jury investigation that started after a 2018 Inquirer investigation examined how Witness leaders punished survivors after they reported abuse or sought help from police. But of course, we were "encouraged" not to be involved for some reason or other. Paul counseled: "Render to all [the superior authorities] their dues, to him who calls for the tax, the tax; to him who calls for the tribute, the tribute; to him who calls for fear, such fear." You don't need to know anything about the law to serve on a jury. Such "stand placed in their relative positions by God," and they make and enforce laws. 1997 (Personal matter but WTS "gives permission" to serve on a jury and have the congregation not levy any punishment (in print anyway). What were the odds? You don't always know what kind of a case you Besides that, it is also common knowledge that beheadings are very frequent among those who are on a jury. Definitely a place to be if you want to do something that has impact. You can also find elders and MS that will say you can't (probably didn't read the last QFR). Jury is now a personal decision; except it was always a personal decision; but now it is looked down on less when you make a personal decision. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Go to your doctor and tell him/her that you have been suffering from panic attacks lately and feel you cannot be confined to a small space for a period of time. And in the state of Colorado persons who can prove by documents that they are Jehovah?s witnesses are granted exemption from jury duty. 541.602(a)); however . Moreover, Jesus was not sent to earth to arbitrate in such a matter, but was commissioned to use his time preaching the Kingdom good news. All rights reserved. Most of the JW's I knew tried the conscience thing to get out but failed most of the time. In reality, though, it is quite possible that the trial he is selected for does not involve such issues. 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. 33 Replies I've never been summoned for jury duty, but my mom was - more than a year after she died. Some may automatically be disqualified, such as convicted felons and the mentally incompetent. Find a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses. Jehovah's Witnesses teach that battles recounted in Hebrew scripture, such as the conquest of Jericho, and the divinely sanctioned military manoeuvres against surrounding nations were attempts to re-establish true religion by attempting to eliminate all traces of Canaanite religion. friends. For more than two decades, disturbing allegations of child sex abuse have emerged at . (John 15:19; Isa. The Adventist movement emerged in the 1830s around the . Jury duty is mandatory for all summoned citizens unless excused. The apostle Paul urged "holy ones" in Corinth to settle differences within the congregation. "Hopefully that message is loud enough that this will cause the organization to change its priorities in a way that they will begin prioritizing the safety of children so that other children aren't abused in the future," attorney Neil Smith said Thursday. I would be thrilled to be on a jury. A part of it read that religious convictions was not an adequate excuse to be exempt from Jury Duty. Christians strive ?to mind their own business,? I love how you guys come up with a thorough answer so quickly! In jury duty the task is to hear evidence and offer an honest opinion on points of fact or law. However, they cut it down to a waste of the morning the second time. When most people think of a jury, they have in mind a panel of 12 citizens at a trialeither a civil dispute or a criminal casewho hear testimony to decide guilt or innocence. Then the apostle added: For what do I have to do with judging those outside? 27-29 Questions From Readers ***. I've been out of work for four months. There is variety in the types of juries, the number of jurors, and what is involved in reaching a verdict. . 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.". This can explain why the WTS has distanced itself officially and does not have an official position for or against jury duty. That might be so if a case involves sexual immorality, abortion, manslaughter, or another issue on which his thinking is shaped by Bible knowledge, not by mere secular law. Then, too, many persons serving on juries do not desire to be guided by the laws of Gods Word in reaching a verdict. Crossposted, but at least Ynot has confirmed that I am always right. They listen to the evidence presented by both the defense and the prosecution, talk about the case with each other and make a decision as to the guilt or innocence of the person on trial. As far as they personally are concerned, Jehovahs witnesses generally do not feel that they should sit as judges of other people. Volunteer safety personnel. What was clear was that if he refused it, the WTBTS would not pay his legal costs. However, I would rather spend the time on jury duty than having to go to the Grand Boasting Session. Still, some persons have reasoned that the local or national government is taxing ones time in requiring any qualified citizen to serve briefly as a juror. It is something to consider. (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. Jury duty within the past year. My understanding was always that they could as long as the death penalty wasn't an issue. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. I was new to the "conscience matter" double meaning, so I told my honey he was free to serve. 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 . 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. When most people think of a jury, they have in mind a panel of 12 citizens at a trial?either a civil dispute or a criminal case?who hear testimony to decide guilt or innocence. The second passage pertains to a case of wrongdoing in the Corinthian congregation. Some Christians have viewed jury service as rendering to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. What if a Christian does not feel that his conscience permits him to serve on a particular jury? As for time, the first time it was a waste of two days. In 2018, a Montana jury awarded $35 million to Alexis Nunez, who said she was sexually abused for years by a member of the Thompson Falls Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. From a pool of persons called for jury duty, some are selected at random as potential jurors for a particular case. Other Christians, though, have decided otherwise. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Plaintiff is identified by the pseudonym J.W. 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 consequences?be that a fine or imprisonment. and receive judgment. Where this prevails, a Christian must decide how to respond when directed to report for jury duty. To avoid undue hardship, an agency may adjust the . 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. HELENA, Mont. The court ruled that the Jehovah's Witnesses illegally failed to report the abuse, and the jury awarded her $4 million in actual damages and $31 million in punitive damages. Juries are an important part of the criminal justice system in America. However, the 1977 Act still I recently served on a Jury panel for a court case. (Luke 12:14) The apostle Paul raised similar questions in his letter to the Corinthians: "What do I have to do with judging those outside? Court opinions in West Virginia, Minnesota and Washington have, in fact, upheld a person?s right to refuse jury duty for religious reasons. 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?" It is not uncommon for Jehovahs Witnesses to lodge a copy of their advance directives with their General Practitioner who should be contacted. The Jury Amendment Act was instigated in 2010, with most of the changes taking place at the beginning of this year. Understandably, Paul did not here mention serving on a jury, for under Roman rule there were no citizens juries as now exist under Anglo-American law. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.". . Market data provided by Factset. Paul wrote: "It is Gods minister to you for your good. "There's a strange validation that came from that. If a guilty verdict is in error and the death penalty is imposed, would a Christian on the jury share bloodguilt? The amount was later reduced to $15.6 million, including $8.6 million in punitive damages. Similarly, in a coroners jury (jury of inquest), the jurors weigh evidence to decide whether a crime was committed. . 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. Of course, if the hardship was great I guess I would be saying something else. (Daniel 3:1-12; Luke 2:1-4) There are, though, factors that sincere Christians can consider. So could he agree, such as when being examined for jury selection, to make his decisions strictly according to civil law? You have moved 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. 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. (Rom. Even in other ways, might this sort of problem arise for a Christian juror? The nurse, having studied the Bible with Jehovahs Witnesses, resisted for days. So there is a danger of becoming party to a miscarriage of justice. The first passage tells of a Jewish man who asked Jesus to judge in a legal dispute over inheritance. The Biblea book for all peopleprovides practical advice that can improve your marriage and help you to raise your children. I've already done the preliminary questionaire online and have to check (also online) the day before my scheduled appearance date to see if I must show up or if it has been cancelled. Copyright 2001-2015 Jehovah's Witness Discussion Forum | JW.Org Community Information. Jehovah's Witnesses may object and say they have gotten away with doing some of the things on this list. That would explain why some witnesses are called. If his conscientious scruples are not accepted as disqualifying him for jury duty, the Christian may feel that he will have to refuse to serve in order not to violate his conscience. In a criminal case, they are to determine whether the evidence supports a guilty verdict. This is very true. Depending on local law, others?such as doctors, clergymen, lawyers, or owners of small businesses?may claim exemption. In many states and in Wisconsin especially for the last 25 years at least, DL records have been used to keep the jury pool diverse and just to have enough people to call. Of course, Jehovah's Witnesses had already executed retaliation on my wife and me in response to our efforts to shed light on the epidemic child abuse problem within the religion. jw For instance, in some places capital punishment is a possible or mandatory sentence for a person found guilty of certain crimes. 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. (Isaiah 33:22) In ancient Israel, experienced men who were upright and impartial served as judges to resolve disputes and decide questions of law. So getting an overview will be helpful whether you face jury duty or not. In some lands, the judicial system uses juries selected from the citizenry. From a pool of persons called for jury duty, some are selected at random as potential jurors for a particular case. A Montana law caps punitive damage awards at 3 percent of a company's net worth or $10 million, whichever is less. All Dating & Courtship Marriage Managing Money Communication Raising Children Raising Teenagers. 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. Take part in any protest or strike. Who makes the plaid blue coat Jesse stone wears in Sea Change? The state is there to serve God for your benefit. Any who are dismissed from that jury panel return to the jury pool to await random selection for other cases. 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. A letter from your employwer generally is not enough. And in the state of Colorado persons who can prove by documents that they are Jehovahs witnesses are granted exemption from jury duty. It is not as if secular courts are fundamentally wrong. They really should provide better compensation since people are taking time off work for that. (Compare Genesis 39:17-20; 1 Timothy 5:22.) Ask your doctor for a letter to excuse you for a period of time, i.e 6 months or a year. Pay every government official what he has a right to askwhether it be direct tax or indirect, fear or honour.Rom. 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. never been on a jury but I have been in the standby pool for my District court. Jehovah's witnesses recognize that what people do with reference to jury duty is a personal matter, governed by the dictates of conscience. With all due respect to the above author, it is usually best to (AP) 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. However, I never got to actually sit on the jury. Unfortunately, skipping jury duty simply because you do not want to attend can create a long list of new issues you will have to deal with.