(Matt. (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. Elsewhere, what is known as common law prevails, and juries are part of the judicial process. 14:1-4,10) However, a minister might well refer to Luke 12:13, 14 and 1Corinthians 5:126:8. A Pennsylvania grand jury is investigating Jehovah's Witnesses for alleged sex-abuse cover-up, man who testified says. Use one of the following options to contact Jehovah's Witnesses in your area. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome . Former Jehovah's Witnesses who have testified before a state grand jury say investigators are seeking to shatter the wall of secrecy around the religion's leaders and their response to sex abuse complaints. Jehovah's witnesses recognize that what people do with reference to jury duty is a personal matter, governed by the dictates of conscience. In a civil case, the jury might award damages or compensation. The nurse, having studied the Bible with Jehovah?s Witnesses, resisted for days. 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." (Compare Genesis 39:17-20; 1 Timothy 5:22.) In balancing factors, Christians should consider whether they can submit to certain demands made by Caesar. 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. I was summoned once. But a distinctive feature of "common law" countries is the use of juries composed of average citizens. 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.". Then, too, many persons serving on juries do not desire to be guided by the laws of Gods Word in reaching a verdict. A Montana law caps punitive damage awards at 3 percent of a company's net worth or $10 million, whichever is less. All requests for jury duty deferral must be made in writing or online. "?1 Cor. Request a visit from one of Jehovah's Witnesses. We are happy to help those interested in the Bible or in our worldwide work. He has to analyze the legal evidence put forward in the legal hearing and give an unbiased decision. When the life of an accused person is involved, this could mean incurring bloodguilt. In this Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015, file photo, the iconic Watchtower sign is seen on the roof of 25 . In some lands, the judicial system uses juries selected from the citizenry. I think I should call a few people here for "jury duty.". In some lands, civil and criminal cases are decided by a professional judge or a panel of judges. Who makes the plaid blue coat Jesse stone wears in Sea Change? The second passage pertains to a case of wrongdoing in the Corinthian congregation. 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. Jurors also participate in coroner's inquests. Any adult Canadian citizen can be considered for jury duty. 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. and was represented by her father as Guardian Ad Litem. For example, on a grand jury, the jurors decide whether the evidence warrants someone?s being brought to trial; they do not determine guilt. The state is there to serve God for your benefit. Not every employer will pay someone who is on jury duty. Secular courts are a function of "the superior authorities." 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. I love how you guys come up with a thorough answer so quickly! It is not as if secular courts are fundamentally wrong.Acts 24:10; 25:10, 11. At times explaining one?s position to the clerk of the court or the judge may lead to one?s name being removed from the list of prospective jurors. Still, most people have only a vague idea of how juries are selected and what they do. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. what part of the country are you in ! What should a Christian do when called for jury duty? This contradicts countless scriptures which . For example, on a grand jury, the jurors decide whether the evidence warrants someone's being brought to trial; they do not determine guilt. 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. 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. Then, too, many persons serving on juries do not desire to be guided by the laws of God?s Word in reaching a verdict. Welcome. Still others have accepted any jury assignment, feeling that it is Caesar?s right to oblige persons to serve in the civil capacity of hearing evidence and honestly deciding on questions of fact or guilt. "1 Peter 2:14. Then the government uses its authority "to express wrath upon the one practicing what is bad," or "to inflict punishment on evildoers. "There's a strange validation that came from that. (Luke 12:13, 14) Jesus came to declare the Kingdom good news, not to arbitrate legal matters. My understanding was always that they could as long as the death penalty wasn't an issue. 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. Some Christians in this situation have used the time to do informal witnessing. 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. Not all reporting for jury duty necessarily sit as jurors in a trial. And in the state of Colorado persons who can prove by documents that they are Jehovah?s witnesses are granted exemption from 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. Court may postpone jury service to another term. jehovahisgod, Feb 21, 2017. He went on to state that Christians should strive to avoid even taking their grievances or disputes to worldly courts for handling. The Jury Amendment Act was instigated in 2010, with most of the changes taking place at the beginning of this year. ?Acts 24:10; 25:10, 11. 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. As far as they personally are concerned, Jehovah's witnesses generally do not feel that they should sit as judges of other people. (Mark 15:1; Acts 5:27-34) There was no provision for the average Jew to be on a civil jury. . 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. - 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. 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. they be exempted from service due to religious convictions (such as All rights reserved. response may have moved the man to use the method for settling disputes that was set out in God?s Law. It is not as if secular courts are fundamentally wrong. This is a petit (small) jury, in contrast with a grand jury. To avoid undue hardship, an agency may adjust the . 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. Study psychology, philosophy, sociology, and viewpoints that might shake their faith 51. 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. by freddi Each Christian has to decide for himself what he will do, and others should not criticize his decision. Secular courts are a function of "the superior authorities." Military duty If you are serving in the military, then this may be a reasonable excuse from jury duty. At times explaining ones position to the clerk of the court or the judge may lead to ones name being removed from the list of prospective jurors. In a headline-making decision, a California jury awarded her $28 million, the largest verdict against the organization at the time. (John 15:19; Isa. Jehovah?s witnesses recognize that what people do with reference to jury duty is a personal matter, governed by the dictates of conscience. I would find out what rat hole they are pouring the money in to and then indict the rats. A professional judge guided them on points of evidence. 99.9% of Witnesses will write a letter to the courts asking that they be exempted from service due to religious convictions (such as not sitting in judgment of another person especially as all. The Jehovah's Witnesses are an outgrowth of the International Bible Students Association, which was founded in 1872 in Pittsburgh by Charles Taze Russell. John 2:1-11. After a number of days, a person?s jury duty is fulfilled, whether he has actually sat as a juror or not. Some may automatically be disqualified, such as convicted felons and the mentally incompetent. 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