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. facts are never revealed) I was called up for jury service once and (Romans 13:7) That is straightforward as to a monetary tax. 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. Update to 2008. 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. Military duty - may also be a valid reason to ask to be excused from jury duty. 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. 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. Still, most people have only a vague idea of how juries are selected and what they do. Animated videos that teach children to listen & obey their parents & God. (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? The nurse, having studied the Bible with Jehovah?s Witnesses, resisted for days. With all due respect to the above author, it is usually best to Though years have now passed, her conscience still troubles her; she feels that she was part of a miscarriage of justice. After a number of days, a person?s jury duty is fulfilled, whether he has actually sat as a juror or not. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovahs Kingdom1997, The Watchtower Announcing Jehovahs Kingdom1973. Any adult Canadian citizen can be considered for jury duty. 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. 14:1-4, 10) However, a minister might well refer to Luke 12:13, 14 and 1 Corinthians 5:12?6:8. You have moved This view is of interest to Christians because of what the apostle Paul wrote about governmental "superior authorities." Jehovah?s witnesses recognize that what people do with reference to jury duty is a personal matter, governed by the dictates of conscience. Market data provided by Factset. (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. 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. Citizenship and the lack of it profoundly impacted various legal and political rights, the most notable of which were suffrage rights at both the federal and state level, the right to hold certain government offices, jury duty, military service in the United States Armed Forces, as well as many other activities, besides access to government . Credit:AP Photo/Matt Rourke Sign up for our newsletterto get our investigations and reporters' insights delivered straight to your inbox. Market data provided by Factset. When the life of an accused person is involved, this could mean incurring bloodguilt. (John 15:19; Isa. Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro's office has launched a grand jury investigation into how the leaders of Jehovah's Witnesses have handled reports of sexual abuse in their congregations. and receive judgment. A mature Christian would also reflect on whether he would share any responsibility for the sentence rendered by judges. However, the 1977 Act still Later, King Henry III of England provided for the accused to be judged by his neighbors. But finally she agreed to vote for acquittal. Take part in any protest or strike. In reality, though, it is quite possible that the trial he is selected for does not involve such issues. In a civil case, the jury might award damages or compensation. He counseled: "You must all obey the governing authorities. I remembered vaguely about not being able to serve on a jury as a JW. Socrates was tried by 501 jurors. (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. While referring to the judiciary of secular courts as "unrighteous men," Paul did not deny that such had a place in handling secular affairs. He had a change of heart. But a distinctive feature of "common law" countries is the use of juries composed of average citizens. You're awesome, Blondie! 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. A part of it read that religious convictions was not an adequate excuse to be exempt from Jury Duty. Watchtower is pursuing appellate review," it said. The Babylonian government commanded them to report to the plain of Dura, and their doing so did not violate God?s Law. This is very true. (1 Corinthians 6:1) He defended himself in the Roman judicial setting, even appealing his case to Caesar. Of course, if the hardship was great I guess I would be saying something else. 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.". In some lands, civil and criminal cases are decided by a professional judge or a panel of judges. 6 Replies Juries are an important part of the criminal justice system in America. Pay every government official what he has a right to ask?whether it be direct tax or indirect, fear or honour."?Rom. Jurors also participate in coroner's inquests. 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. 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 . "1 Cor. Jehovah's Witnesses believe salvation is obtained by a combination of faith, good works, and obedience. Some may automatically be disqualified, such as convicted felons and the mentally incompetent. However, they cut it down to a waste of the morning the second time. There is variety in the types of juries, the number of jurors, and what is involved in reaching a verdict. 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. 49.Serve on jury duty 50. Volunteer safety personnel. A professional judge guided them on points of evidence. Find the date of the next annual Memorial observance. Court opinions in West Virginia, Minnesota and Washington have, in fact, upheld a persons right to refuse jury duty for religious reasons. What they did thereafter was another matter, as the Bible shows. A former Jehovah's Witness is using stolen documents to expose allegations that the religion has kept hidden for decades. Next day he went back to the judge and told him he was a JW. 1978 (Personal matters but WTS discourages jury duty). (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? (Exodus 22:2; Deuteronomy 21:8; 22:8; Jeremiah 2:34; Matthew 23:35; Acts 18:6) At Jesus? 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. Some Christians have viewed jury service as rendering to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. He went on to state that Christians should strive to avoid even taking their grievances or disputes to worldly courts for handling. The second time, I didn't even make it through voir dire--and got dismissed that day. Welcome. Even as a dub I thought jury duty would be a "different" experience. If a guilty verdict is in error and the death penalty is imposed, would a Christian on the jury share bloodguilt? Each Christian has to decide for himself what he will do, and others should not criticize his decision. When the life of an accused person is involved, this could mean incurring bloodguilt. 28 U.S.C.A. It is something to consider. "1 Peter 2:14. Some have referred to Jesus? 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. 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. The judge will dismiss any whose impartiality may be questioned because of possible interest in the case. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged" ( Matthew 7:1-2 ), or as we might say in modern language, "Don't convict others of sin ." Christ's disciples should not engage in the trying, judging, sentencing or punishing of others. (Matthew 22:17-21) If Caesar says that citizens must give of their time and efforts to clean roads or perform other work that is among Caesars functions, each Christian must decide whether to submit.Matthew 5:41. 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. . My honey was called to jury duty. In that case he should prepare himself to face whatever consequences may arise as a result of his decision. In 2012, a jury awarded Conti $28 million, believed to be the largest . The lawsuit claimed the local and national Jehovah's Witnesses organizations were negligent and violated a Montana law that requires them to report abuse to outside authorities. In a criminal case, they are to determine whether the evidence supports a guilty verdict. However, I would rather spend the time on jury duty than having to go to the Grand Boasting Session. Do you not judge those inside [the Christian congregation], while God judges those outside? The ceremony may be followed by a social gathering, or reception, which may include a meal. and told me that if I'm ever called again I should let the courts A regular jury only hears what is given to them, but a grand jury is the mother lode. Following a jury award of $35 million to a woman who accused the congregation of covering up her childhood sex abuse, other former Jehovah's Witnesses say there's a pattern of mishandling allegations. The Bible does not mention jury duty, so he cannot say, It is against my religion to serve on any jury. Depending on the case, he might state that serving on the jury for a particular case is against his personal conscience. I would love to serve. I was looking forward to it. (1Pet. This is the time to speak up if one has a conscientious reason for not serving because of the nature of that case. The case that prompted Wednesday's ruling involved two women, now 32 and 21, who allege a family member sexually abused them and a third family member in Thompson Falls in the 1990s and 2000s. This Act means that a wider base of people will be eligible for jury duty than before, including older people, people with certain disabilities, and those who work in certain legal professions. Not all reporting for jury duty necessarily sit as jurors in a trial. 13:1-7, The Jerusalem Bible. The Babylonian government commanded them to report to the plain of Dura, and their doing so did not violate Gods Law. This can explain why the WTS has distanced itself officially and does not have an official position for or against jury duty. Secular courts are a function of "the superior authorities." A judge must review the penalty, and the Jehovah's Witnesses' national organization Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York plans to appeal. When I was at Bethel, Bethelites LOVED jury duty. *** w97 4/1 pp. So, what is your experience and opinion of the judicial process if you've ever done jury duty? 5:12, 13. What scriptures do you think he had in mind? 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. I think that JWs should encourage jury duty. Then, depending on the type of case, the judge may sentence the guilty parties. 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." But a distinctive feature of common law countries is the use of juries composed of average citizens. 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. Sometimes they recommend which sentence stipulated by law should be applied. He asked the elders for advice and they told him to look it up himself. Jehovah's Witnesses may object and say they have gotten away with doing some of the things on this list. 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. (Luke 20:25) In jury duty the task is to hear evidence and offer an honest opinion on points of fact or law. Others have felt compelled to decline even in the face of punishment. and was represented by her father as Guardian Ad Litem. Fax : 803-765-5283. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. especially if you are not given all the facts in the trial. During the trial she realized that on her job at the hospital she had seenX rays of the victim, which were rejected as evidence at the trial. 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. What is the attitude of Jehovah?s Witnesses toward jury duty??U.S.A. "There's a strange validation that came from that. This Biblical counsel certainly should alert Christians to be slow about getting involved in others? What if a Christian does not feel that his conscience permits him to serve on a particular jury? Some may automatically be disqualified, such as convicted felons and the mentally incompetent. (Luke 12:13, 14) Jesus came to declare the Kingdom good news, not to arbitrate legal matters. So getting an overview will be helpful whether you face jury duty or not. Enough of that and they will have to re think how they use those resources, since a DA wants a high conviction rate. He and the attorneys examine each potential juror. Its best not to go to your normal doctor . Paul wrote: "It is Gods minister to you for your good. A jury of 12 or so persons hears the evidence and determines guilt or innocence. Not every employer will pay someone who is on jury duty. Jehovah?s witnesses recognize that what people do with reference to jury duty is a personal matter, governed by the dictates of conscience. You can also have a say in putting away thugs who prey on people. If a guilty verdict is in error and the death penalty is imposed, would a Christian on the jury share bloodguilt? It is closer to the situation of Daniel?s three companions. (Isaiah 33:22) In ancient Israel, experienced men who were upright and impartial served as judges to resolve disputes and decide questions of law. Some Christians have reported for jury duty and have served on certain juries. It's the least I can do after all those years of uppity judgment I used to have. Jury duty within the past year. Audio. In lands where what is called civil law prevails, legal cases (both criminal and civil) are usually heard and decided on by a single professional judge, or by a panel of justices. What to do? All rights reserved. Within the United States, the situation in one state may be quite different from that in another state. It's amazing the system works at all considering how many people are trying to get out of it. (Daniel 3:1-12; Luke 2:1-4) There are, though, factors that sincere Christians can consider. Such "stand placed in their relative positions by God," and they make and enforce laws. 99.9% of Witnesses will write a letter to the courts asking that [612-25] Protection of jurors' employment. Not all reporting for jury duty necessarily sit as jurors in a trial. An employee is responsible for informing his or her supervisor if he or she is excused from jury or witness service for 1 day or more or for a substantial part of a day. friends. i think otherwise he would have done it. I'd rather get a week of assault and battery or a good crime case than some tax case that goes on for a year in Federal court. Besides that, it is also common knowledge that beheadings are very frequent among those who are on a jury. The legal requirements for serving on a jury and the provisions for exemption vary from place to place. HC Deb 20 June 1988 vol 135 cc883-906 883. In some states, the employer has the right to request proof from the local court system that the employee was summoned to the court for jury duty. 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. I think I should call a few people here for "jury duty.". All Dating & Courtship Marriage Managing Money Communication Raising Children Raising Teenagers. trial Pilate wanted to be "innocent of the blood of this man." Pay during witness duty will not exceed the pay for the employee's normal workday and the employee's workweek. The judge will dismiss any whose impartiality may be questioned because of possible interest in the case. 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. 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. ?1 Peter 2:19. A jury is a group of people randomly selected to make decisions at a trial in a court of law. Yet, authorities are increasingly eliminating exemptions so that all are obliged to report for jury duty, perhaps repeatedly over the years. , the 1977 Act still Later, King Henry III of England provided for the rendered. England provided for the sentence rendered by judges to have a minister might refer... Asking that [ 612-25 ] Protection of jurors & # x27 ; employment is involved, this could incurring! The criminal justice system in America ) Jesus came to declare the Kingdom good news, to. To arbitrate legal matters that his conscience permits him to look it up himself moved this view is interest. So persons hears the evidence supports a guilty verdict is in error and the mentally incompetent 1977 still. 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