I just had a quick question for the Jehovah's Witnesses.
Is joining the military absolutely banned or is it just suggested? What would happen if a Jehovah's Witness did join the military?
We follow the example of the earliest Christians. The Encyclopedia of Religion states:
“The early church fathers, including Tertullian and Origen, affirmed that Christians were constrained from taking human life, a principle that prevented them from participating in the Roman army.”
In The Early Church and the World, Professor C. J. Cadoux writes: “Up to the reign of Marcus Aurelius at least [161-180 C.E.], no Christian would become a soldier after his baptism.”
JW's will always refuse military service because as christians, we cannot take up arms against anyone. That is a clear law we all abide by. There are thousands of witnesses in jails in places like nth/sth korea & Greece for example because they refuse to do military service. But we can perform other state services if our conscience allows us.
An article in the 1996 WT has this advise regarding the sort of services we can provide to the governments if our conscience allows:
Similarly, citizens in some countries today are required by the State or by local authorities to participate in various forms of community service. Sometimes this is for a specific task, such as digging wells or building roads; sometimes it is on a regular basis, such as weekly participation in cleaning up roads, schools, or hospitals. Where such civilian service is for the good of the community and is not connected with false religion or is not in some other way objectionable to the consciences of Jehovah’s Witnesses, they have often complied. (1 Peter 2:13-15) This has usually resulted in an excellent witness and has sometimes silenced those who falsely accuse the Witnesses of being antigovernment.—Compare Matthew 10:18.
19 What, though, if the State requires a Christian for a period of time to perform civilian service that is a part of national service under a civilian administration? Here again, Christians must make their own decision based on an informed conscience. “We shall all stand before the judgment seat of God.” (Romans 14:10) Christians faced with a requirement of Caesar should prayerfully study the matter and meditate on it. It may also be wise to talk the matter over with mature Christians in the congregation. After this a personal decision must be made.—Proverbs 2:1-5; Philippians 4:5.
20 While engaged in such research, Christians would consider a number of Bible principles. Paul said that we must “be obedient to governments and authorities as rulers, . . . be ready for every good work . . . be reasonable, exhibiting all mildness toward all men.” (Titus 3:1, 2) At the same time, Christians would do well to examine the proposed civilian work. If they accept it, will they be able to maintain Christian neutrality? (Micah 4:3, 5; John 17:16) Would it involve them with some false religion? (Revelation 18:4, 20, 21) Would performing it prevent or unreasonably limit them from fulfilling their Christian responsibilities? (Matthew 24:14; Hebrews 10:24, 25) On the other hand, would they be able to continue to make spiritual progress, perhaps even sharing in the full-time ministry while performing the required service?—Hebrews 6:11, 12.
The WT society gives us the needed tools to make decisions that comply with our God given consciences. The WT Society does not lay down rules and tell us what we must do though, as you can see from the above quote, we each must ultimately make our own decisions based on our conscience. One JW may feel it is ok to participate in one form of service, but another may not feel it is ok...we do not judge each other for the decisions we make (so long as they dont contradict clear biblical laws) because we each will stand before God who judges righteously.
