(Exodus 22:2; Deuteronomy 21:8; 22:8; Jeremiah 2:34; Matthew 23:35; Acts 18:6) At Jesus? After Gods servants ceased to be under the Mosaic Law, they had to deal with secular courts in various lands. . . So, even though I'm a little excited and looking forward to it at this time, my real opinion will come out after it is over. Then, depending on the type of case, the judge may sentence the guilty parties. I sat in several trials taking notes as a reporter. "1 Cor. (1Pet. Though years have now passed, her conscience still troubles her; she feels that she was part of a miscarriage of justice. But if you are doing what is bad, be in fear: for it is not without purpose that it bears the sword; for it is God?s minister, an avenger to express wrath upon the one practicing what is bad." 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. Market data provided by Factset. 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. Some Christians have reported for jury duty and have served on certain juries. Where this prevails, a Christian must decide how to respond when directed to report for jury duty. 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. 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. Fact Sheet: Court Leave. 1866.But there is no assurance from this record or elsewhere that if the names of all adult Jehovah's Witnesses were added to the master jury box source, the same religious tenets that compel these people to decline participation in the electoral process of government would not lead them to attempt to refuse . And in the state of Colorado persons who can prove by documents that they are Jehovah?s witnesses are granted exemption from jury duty. Well here (Arizona) they get it off your Drivers license record, if you have a drivers license you can get called for duty. God?s people recognize Jehovah as the Supreme Judge. ?Galatians 6:5. my dad was once called on for jury duty, thankfully jehovah saw fit to break his leg when the congregation went ice skating, so he got out of it on medical grounds. Depending on local law, otherssuch as doctors, clergymen, lawyers, or owners of small businessesmay claim exemption. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. A jury is a group of people randomly selected to make decisions at a trial in a court of law. The women say they reported the abuse to church elders, who handled the matter internally after consulting with the national organization. There is variety in the types of juries, the number of jurors, and what is involved in reaching a verdict. Proof of service to the court can be useful if the employee tells you he or she will be at jury duty for the week if you suspect . 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. However, I would rather spend the time on jury duty than having to go to the Grand Boasting Session. (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. matters should be confined to the congregation, rather than be a juror in a secular court of law. 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. . What should a Christian do when called for jury duty? Sometimes they recommend which sentence stipulated by law should be applied. Depending on the case, he might state that serving on the jury for a particular case is against his personal conscience. 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. The Jehovah's Witnesses are an outgrowth of the International Bible Students Association, which was founded in 1872 in Pittsburgh by Charles Taze Russell. However, the 1977 Act still 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. (a) An employer shall not deprive an employee of the employee's employment, or threaten or otherwise coerce the employee with respect thereto, because the employee receives a summons, responds thereto, serves as a juror, or attends court for prospective jury service. If I'm part of the selection, it could be one day, a few, or many, depending on the case. (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. Jehovah's Witnesses may object and say they have gotten away with doing some of the things on this list. Christ refused, saying "Who appointed me judge or apportioner over you persons?" For example, in 1966 the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia upheld a Christian who refused jury duty. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome . 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. I was new to the "conscience matter" double meaning, so I told my honey he was free to serve. "?Matthew 27:24, 25. English. They can actually investigate things. The first passage tells of a Jewish man who asked Jesus to judge in a legal dispute over inheritance. Some Christians have viewed jury service as rendering to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. A Pennsylvania grand jury is investigating Jehovah's Witnesses for alleged sex-abuse cover-up, man who testified says. 28 U.S.C.A. Under the New Covenant, God clearly states that . Supreme Court turned down the contention that Gigante was exercising his claimed " duty as a priest" in his relations with the prisoner, who is serving a 62-month federal sentence for interstate gambling violations and was additionally convicted of bribing a prison official. 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 church also contended that the national organization isn't liable for the actions by Thompson Falls elders, and that too much time has passed for the women to sue. 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. "Watchtower instructed everyone involved that they were not to report the matter to authorities. Court opinions in West Virginia, Minnesota and Washington have, in fact, upheld a persons right to refuse jury duty for religious reasons. I would love to serve. As far as they personally are concerned, Jehovah's witnesses generally do not feel that they should sit as judges of other people. The monetary award must be reviewed by the trial judge and could be reduced. Gods people recognize Jehovah as the Supreme Judge. Pay every government official what he has a right to ask?whether it be direct tax or indirect, fear or honour."?Rom. I just love this statement. friends. 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? Not all reporting for jury duty necessarily sit as jurors in a trial. The legal requirements for serving on a jury and the provisions for exemption vary from place to place. At least three grand jury witnesses said investigators want to question governing body members, who work out of the organization . You sit in judgment of your peers. Jehovahs witnesses recognize that what people do with reference to jury duty is a personal matter, governed by the dictates of conscience. HELENA, Mont. Even in other ways, might this sort of problem arise for a Christian juror? Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. (1 Thessalonians 4:11; 1 Peter 4:15) When a Jew asked Jesus to judge a matter about inheritance, he responded: "Man, who appointed me judge or apportioner over you persons?" I've been out of work for four months. 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. (Luke 20:25) In jury duty the task is to hear evidence and offer an honest opinion on points of fact or law. Each Christian has to decide for himself what he will do, and others should not criticize his decision. (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." (Daniel 3:1-12; Luke 2:1-4) There are, though, factors that sincere Christians can consider. So getting an overview will be helpful whether you face jury duty or not. . Market data provided by Factset. In relation to the composition of juries, this historical development has been directed towards widening the classes of people liable to serve on juries with the object of making juries more representative of the whole community. There is variety in the types of juries, the number of jurors, and what is involved in reaching a verdict. Jehovah's Witnesses, Murrieta, California; French Valley Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, Murrieta, California, Inc.; and Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses) were defendants in the trial court but Plaintiff dismissed them. He was allowed to leave. Study psychology, philosophy, sociology, and viewpoints that might shake their faith 51. . To request a deferral from jury duty, you must submit a completed copy of your "Jury Information Form", with the request written out. Then the judge identifies the parties and their attorneys and describes the nature of the case. 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