Expert: Brenton Hepburn - 6/21/2006

Question
Why do JW's not serve on jury duty.
Please respond asap.

Answer
Haeelo Sandy,

Thank you for your question. That is a sensitive question and one that not many people think about.

The basic answer to that is….....  It is really up to the conscience of each individual JW......

That is why it is sensitive.  What one person might feel he can do another might feel he can not.

Christians are also told to obey God as ruler over any man made laws, so when a government makes a law that is not in conflict with Gods laws, Christians are obliged to follow.  The Bible dose not mention jury duty and there are not direct parallels to this, but there are several principles that each JW should keep in mind when considering this problem.

The Bibles council is that Christians strive “to mind their own business,� not getting involved in “other people's matters.� (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?� (Luke 12:13, 14) Jesus came to declare the Kingdom good news, not to arbitrate legal matters. (Luke 4:18, 43) Jesus' response may have moved the man to use the method for settling disputes that was set out in God's Law. (Deuteronomy 1:16, 17)

However, valid as such points are, responding to a direction to report for jury duty is different from involving oneself in the business of others.

At the death of Jesus, God's  servants were no longer under the Mosaic Law, they had to deal with secular courts in various lands. The apostle Paul urged “holy onesâ€? in Corinth to settle differences within the congregation. While referring to the judiciary of secular courts as “unrighteous men,â€? Paul did not deny that such had a place in handling secular affairs. (1 Corinthians 6:1) He defended himself in the Roman judicial setting, even appealing his case to Caesar. It is not as if secular courts are fundamentally wrong.  Acts 24:10; 25:10, 11.

Some JW's have viewed jury service as rendering to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. (Luke 20:25) In jury duty the task is to hear evidence and offer an honest opinion on points of fact or law. For example, on a grand jury, the jurors decide whether the evidence warrants someone's being brought to trial; they do not determine guilt. In a civil case, the jury might award damages or compensation. In a criminal case, they are to determine whether the evidence supports a guilty verdict. Sometimes they recommend which sentence stipulated by law should be applied. Then the government uses its authority “to express wrath upon the one practicing what is bad,� or “to inflict punishment on evildoers.� 1 Peter 2:14.

A JW would also reflect on whether he would share any responsibility for the sentence rendered by judges. (Compare Genesis 39:17-20; 1 Timothy 5:22.) If a guilty verdict is in error and the death penalty is imposed, (in states and countries where they still have the death penalty) would a Christian on the jury share bloodguilt? (Exodus 22:2; Deuteronomy 21:8; 22:8; Jeremiah 2:34; Matthew 23:35; Acts 18:6) At Jesus' trial Pilate wanted to be “innocent of the blood of this man.� The Jews readily said: “His blood come upon us and upon our children.� Matthew 27:24, 25.

If a JW 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 consequences �be that a fine or imprisonment.� 1 Peter 2:19.

So the final aspect of this is that , each JW faced with jury duty must determine what course to follow, based on his understanding of the Bible and his own conscience. Some Christians have reported for jury duty and have served on certain juries. Others have felt compelled to decline even in the face of punishment. Each Christian has to decide for himself what he will do, and others should not criticize his decision.  Galatians 6:5.

I hope that helps

Brenton