Part #1:
I know Jehovah's Witnesses don't believe in voting, what other
religions don't believe in participating in the political system?

Part #2:
Briefly, why don't JW's & the others you have found partake in the political system?

Dear elementk-ga;

Thank you for allowing me to answer your interesting question.

As you noted, Jehovah?s Witness do not believe in voting or
participating in elections. The position of this faith is that their
allegiance is solely to God (Jehovah), not " Caesar" (government). As
an example, this faith draws their conclusion in part from Biblical
scriptures such as this:

?Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto
God the things which be God's.?

BIBLE GATEWAY
http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?passage=LUKE+20:21-26&language=english&version=KJV&showfn=off

--------------------------

The Amish (some Anabaptists, Hutterines, Mennonites, German Baptists, Dunkwards,
Moravians, Separatists, Congregationalists, The Amish, and certain
types Baptists among them) usually do not vote, but their religion
does allow them to. Ironically, the Amish (et al) that practice
separatisms do not practice it based on their religious believes but
because of their political beliefs. In the early 17th century in
England, several movements evolved among these groups that insisted on
the separate autonomy of each church. The New Testament was their only
guide, and they denounced many of the practices of the Catholic Church
and as such refused to accept ANY creed (oath, vow, allegiance, etc).
In more modern times claiming their autonomy ensures religious freedom
through separation of church and state as outlined in the
Constitution?s First Amendment, the Amish take this separation to the
extreme, creating a self-imposed religious, political and social
barrier between them as the rest of the world. Having said that, this
practice is more of a philosophical commitment than anything else.

THE AMISH VOTE
http://www.worldmagblog.com/archives/007289.html

THE PROTESTANTS SECTS
http://www.myss.com/worldreligions/Christianity13.asp

--------------------------

?Some ultraconservative Christian groups don't vote as another way of
keeping themselves apart from a sinful society, said Gordon Melton,
director of the Institute for the Study of American Religion in Santa
Barbara. The members of a group called the family, which has about
9,000 members worldwide, some in Los Angeles, do not vote. "They want
to separate from as much of the world as they can," Melton said.?

SOME FAITHS ABSTAIN FROM CASTING BALLOTS
http://bahai-library.com/newspapers/041001.html

--------------------------


The Church of God, In Truth is a relatively small number but it too
does not practice ballot casting.

THE CHURCH OF GOD, IN TRUTH
http://www.postponements.com/index.htm

Their reasoning lies in their disagreement with the voting on the new
disciple to replace Judas, the betrayer of Jesus:

?We do not believe in voting! According to the New Testament, when
they chose a new Apostle, they used lots. "And they appointed two,
Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And
they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all
men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, That he may take part
of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression
fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their
lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the
eleven apostles" (Acts 1:23-26).?
http://www.postponements.com/id217.htm

--------------------------

Some members of the Worldwide Church of God have also renounced
voting.  One scriptural example from which they draw this conclusion
in their interpretation of Revelation 18:4:

?Come out of her [which they interpret as ?governments?], my people,
that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her
plagues

BLUE LETTER BIBLE: Revelation 18:4.
http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Rev/Rev018.html#top

VOTING: IS IT A CHRISTIAN DUTY?
http://www.giveshare.org/BibleStudy/081.voting.html

This doctrine has relaxed somewhat with some congregations although it
is important to note that some Worldwide Churches of God are still
quite orthodox while others are leaning toward becoming more liberal:

"While the Church has never published that voting is a sin, we have
usually discouraged participation in the political process. This led
to the commonly held idea, which was sometimes preached, that any
participation in voting would be sinful."

"If a Church member chooses to vote, it is his or her private and
personal decision. The individual should not, however, introduce
division into the congregation by campaigning or announcing a
political platform within the congregation.?

? "Questions and Answers from the PGR,"
Worldwide News, 25 May 1993.
THERE CAME A FALLING AWAY
http://www.restoredcog.org/books/tcafa-part3.html


I hope you find that my research exceeds your expectations. If you
have any questions about my research please post a clarification
request prior to rating the answer. Otherwise I welcome your rating
and your final comments and I look forward to working with you again
in the near future. Thank you for bringing your question to us.

Best regards;
Tutuzdad-ga ? Google Answers Researcher



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Request for Answer Clarification by elementk-ga on 30 Sep 2004 09:03 PDT

How about other non-Christian world religions (Buddhists, Hindus, Judaism, Taoism)?

---

Clarification of Answer by tutuzdad-ga on 30 Sep 2004 09:31 PDT

As you can see from this link I offered (a good article on the subject by the way):

?Most religions have no edict against voting in this country. In
addition to most Christian and Jewish sects, Mormons vote, Buddhists
vote, Hare Krishnas can vote. Even members of ultra-Orthodox Jewish
communities who go out of their way to separate themselves from the
modern world still vote.?

SOME FAITHS ABSTAIN FROM CASTING BALLOTS
http://bahai-library.com/newspapers/041001.html

There are no formal religious edicts that restrict voting practices
for Hindus, Jews, Sikhs, Taoists, Buddhists, or Hindus.

Regards;
tutuzdad-ga

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Clarification of Answer by tutuzdad-ga on 30 Sep 2004 09:33 PDT

While the article says "...in this country..." I found no similar
edicts in foreign countries either, inasmuch as I could learn of
foreign countries in my native English language.

Regards;
tutuzdad-ga

Other than some possible splinter groups off the Jehovah Witness, I
think all religions encourage citizens to vote. I think the JW stand
is that Satan controls everything except the Jehovah Witnesses. I
doubt that the JW disapline members who vote.   Neil

For Elementk; Jehovahs witnesses do not vote because they put their
total faith and trust in God`s coming Kingdom, the one that is prayed
for in the "Lord`s Prayer", Matthew 6;9,10.
Isaiah 9;6,7..and the government [ dominion] will be upon
his[Jesus`]shoulder...of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end".
Daniel 7;13,14..and to him [ Jesus] there were given rulership and
dignity and Kingdom, that the peoples, national groups and languages
should all serve even him".
In this future Kingdom, everyone obeying God`s commands, through Jesus
direction, is promised a wonderful existence, as described in Micah
4;4.."They will actually sit, each one under his vine and under his
fig tree, and there will be no one making them tremble; for the very
mouth of Jehovah of armies has spoken it". And Revelation 21;4.."And
he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, AND DEATH WILL BE NO
MORE,neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former
things have passed away".
Psalm 37;11.."But the meek ones will possess the earth, and they will
indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace".
Because of the laws of the land, Jehovahs Witnesses register
themselves on the voting rolls, but when it comes to actually voting,
they do not, and when asked by the authorities, why not?, they give a
written explanation pointing out these scriptures
Psalm 146;3.."Do not put your trust in nobles, nor in the son of
earthling man, TO WHOM NO SALVATION BELONGS, his spirit goes out, he
goes back to his ground, in that day his thoughts do perish. Happy is
the one who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in
Jehovah his God".
Daniel 2;44.." And in the days of those kings, the God of heaven will
set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom
itself will not be passed onto any other people. It will crush and put
an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times
indefinite".
Psalm 118;6.."Jehovah is on my side, I shall not fear. What can
earthling man do to me". Many Jehovahs Witnesses have been killed by
hostile governments for not complying to orders that directly
contravened God`s laws. But they do not disobey governments in matters
such as civil obedience, paying taxes and obeying registration and
traffic laws. This is in compliance with the scripture at Romans
13;1..Let every soul [person] be in subjection to the superior
authorities, for there is no authority except by God. The existing
authorities stand placed in their relative positions bu God. Therefore
he who opposes the authority has taken a stand against the arrangement
by God. Those who have taken a stand against it will receive judgement
to themselves".
this scripture places a tremendous responsibility on elected
authorities to "do the right thing" by the people they govern. They
will be answerable direct to God, eventually.
Jehovah`s Witnesses regard man [individuals and governments] as being
quite inept in living without God`s guidance, as Jeremiah , in chapter
10, verse 3, said "I well know, Oh! Jehovah, that to earthling man his
way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking EVEN to
direct his step".
I have quoted the pertinent scriptures here , rather than just citing
them, as many reading the GA comments may not have a Bible. And they
can be verified.
JEHOVAH is God`s personal name [Psalm 83;18] It is the closest english
language translation of the four letter Hebrew word YHWH, sometimes
rendered YAHWEH, found in the bible 7,000 times. It is also referred
to as the Tetragrammaton,[four letters]. As to whether or not it
should be used, Jehovahs witnesses insist on its use with deep
reverence, regarding Jehovah as their friend. Many religions have
completely removed his name from their publications of the bible, in
the mistaken belief that it is too "Holy". It is not possible to have
a friend and not use their name.
Was the name always used?. No. At Exodus 6;3 we find.." And I used to
appear to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as GOD ALMIGHTY [title] but as
respects my name, Jehovah, I did not make myself known to them".
for Neilzero;. There are no splinter groups of Jehovahs Witnesses. If
former members do start other groups, they are regarded as apostates.
As to whether Satan rules the world we know, that is answered in
Revelation 12;9..the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the
ENTIRE inhabited earth, and his angels were hurled down with him".
For Tutuz; Revelation 18;4. It is false religion people must get out
of. The "her" in verse 3 has relations with the "kings of the earth" [
governments] and the two are separate. Big business is a third entity
named as " the travelling merchants".
I look forward to your comments. Pug.

<SoapBOX>
To paraphrase a bit, and add my own personal interpretation, God puts
in place the government of/over the people. (Regarding Romans 13:3-5)
http://www.biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?passage=ROM+13:3-5&language=english&version=NIV&showfn=on&showxref=on

However, I personally believe that God does this with respect to the
hearts of the people. When the people turned away from God, tyrants
came to be in power. Then people cried out for a savior and God
answered. (Personal overview of Kings and Chronicles).

I will add this bit, and bear the wrath of being proclaimed a heretic
as I say it: As prayer is a way that we as Christians/followers of God
are to proclaim our thoughts, desires, wishes, and needs to the God
who by nature already knows our thoughts, desires, wishes and needs,
so also is the vote a proclamation of the desires of our hearts,
collectively and yet still known by God.

I'd also put it that the vote is similar to the unused "Talent". Like
the master who yelled at the servant for burying his task money, ("At
least if you put it in the bank, it would have gained interest!"), I
feel that this "little" that has been given to you by God and "Caesar"
should also not be squandered.

"Faith without works is dead"... The calling of God to you to DO
something with what God gave you, including giving the vote, something
that CAESAR gave you, back to Caesar, is a critical issue in living
life according to God's plan. Frankly, being salt and light in this
world is pointless if you remain in the cupboard, tasteless and dark.
</SoapBOX>

I just felt .. something called me to opine. This free comment is just
that, a free comment.

In sticking with the second part of the original question, Jehovahs
Witnesses regard voting for ANY politician as going directly against
the scripture at Psalm 146;3..do not put your trust in nobles...
And they have suffered for it by having to put up with the decisions
of politicians voted in by everybody else. But this is accepted as
they know the general situation will not change until God acts to
change it. Sometime in the future...soon.