In reality, though, it is quite possible that the trial he is selected for does not involve such issues. (Daniel 3:1-12; Luke 2:1-4) There are, though, factors that sincere Christians can consider. It's all good. Not every employer will pay someone who is on jury duty. A jury of 12 or so persons hears the evidence and determines guilt or innocence. I think I should call a few people here for "jury duty.". HELENA, Mont. 49.Serve on jury duty 50. A mature Christian would also reflect on whether he would share any responsibility for the sentence rendered by judges. Also, the attorneys for each side have the prerogative to dismiss a few jurors. Sorry, there was an error loading the video. If any Jehovah's Witness is deemed to be an apostate, she or he will be disfellowshipped. 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 . 13:1-7, The Jerusalem Bible. It has been reasoned that all citizens benefit from courts and so should be willing to be jurors, even as all benefit from other governmental services and so should pay taxes for these. ONLINE LIBRARY. A professional judge guided them on points of evidence. I sat in several trials taking notes as a reporter. 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. From a pool of persons called for jury duty, some are selected at random as potential jurors for a particular case. 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. There is variety in the types of juries, the number of jurors, and what is involved in reaching a verdict. Then the government uses its authority "to express wrath upon the one practicing what is bad," or "to inflict punishment on evildoers. Definitely a place to be if you want to do something that has impact. Under the age of 18 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. In that case he should prepare himself to face whatever consequences may arise as a result of his decision. They really should provide better compensation since people are taking time off work for that. And in the state of Colorado persons who can prove by documents that they are Jehovahs witnesses are granted exemption from jury duty. . "?1 Cor. 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. 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. . 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. Some Christians have also reflected on the types of cases that jurors might face. Court opinions in West Virginia, Minnesota and Washington have, in fact, upheld a person?s right to refuse jury duty for religious reasons. I've been summoned twice and both times our jury pool was dismissed early. Then, too, many persons serving on juries do not desire to be guided by the laws of Gods Word in reaching a verdict. 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. wrote the letter to the courts. A judge guides a jury through a trial by explaining the law and legal terms. Can someone tell me why we were not allowed to to this? When a summons is issued by the court to be a part of a certain trial. . They can actually investigate things. 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. Do you not judge those inside [the Christian congregation], while God judges those outside? 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. HELENA A Montana jury has ruled that the Jehovah's Witnesses organization must pay $34 million to a woman who says the church covered up her sexual abuse as a child at the hands of a . Military duty If you are serving in the military, then this may be a reasonable excuse from jury duty. a Jesus attended such a feast in the city of Cana early in his ministry.. Still, most people have only a vague idea of how juries are selected and what they do. The state is there to serve God for your benefit. After God?s servants ceased to be under the Mosaic Law, they had to deal with secular courts in various lands. Just take a pillow with you and a coin to flip during deliberations. 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.". facts are never revealed) I was called up for jury service once and What is the attitude of Jehovah?s Witnesses toward jury duty??U.S.A. Do you not judge those inside [the congregation], while God judges those outside? He went on to state that Christians should strive to avoid even taking their grievances or disputes to worldly courts for handling. MANY persons look to the court or judicial system for justice. This is very true. It's amazing the system works at all considering how many people are trying to get out of it. 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. 29-31 - Awake!1980 Questions From Readers (2 occurrences) What this means is if the police waste time dragging someone in for some victimless "crime" and the DA makes a case, you as a juror can call them out on this stupidity by voting for acquittal. For instance, in some places capital punishment is a possible or mandatory sentence for a person found guilty of certain crimes. 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. He was allowed to leave. (1 Pet. But a distinctive feature of "common law" countries is the use of juries composed of average citizens. . Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Copyright 2001-2015 Jehovah's Witness Discussion Forum | JW.Org Community Information. (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?" Attend other Christian churches . The Associated Press generally does not name people who say they are a victim of a sex crime. Weddings of Jehovah's Witnesses often consist of a simple and dignified ceremony that features a brief talk based on the Bible. In a short answer, yes, and employer can require proof of jury duty. Fax : 803-765-5283. A legal challenge to that law is pending before the Montana Supreme Court. 12 Replies The Thompson Falls trial that begins Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, is one of dozens of lawsuits filed nationwide over the last decade alleging mismanagement of sexual abuse claims by Jehovah's Witness clergy and members. Others have felt compelled to decline even in the face of punishment. Sounds right up their alley. How much did it cost for 1 dozen of donuts in 1970? 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 judge will dismiss any whose impartiality may be questioned because of possible interest in the case. What they did thereafter was another matter, as the Bible shows. personal differences, especially those outside the congregation. A jury duty excuse letter aims at explaining to the court officials why you would rather not attend the duties altogether. But finally she agreed to vote for acquittal. 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. In a civil case, the jury might award damages or compensation. Then it was, I wanted my turn. 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. Similarly, in a coroner?s jury (jury of inquest), the jurors weigh evidence to decide whether a crime was committed. It is not as if secular courts are fundamentally wrong. 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. I don't see how they could actually get out of it. (Some may be exempted because they have strong personal, conscientious objections to jury service.) It's the least I can do after all those years of uppity judgment I used to have. 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." And you can appreciate why the Christian in West Virginia might conclude that his efforts to ?judge or decide? The Board of Regents approved this statement at its June 2018 meeting in Chicago, IL. 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. What was clear was that if he refused it, the WTBTS would not pay his legal costs. A mature Christian would also reflect on whether he would share any responsibility for the sentence rendered by judges. Jury Duty Excuse Letter Format Date Name Title In that case he should prepare himself to face whatever consequences may arise as a result of his decision. 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. 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.
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