About Brandon Harper Expertise I was raised as one of Jehovah's Witnesses and was baptized for 21 years. I was a 4th generation Jehovah's Witness both paternally and maternally and am qualified to answer many questions regarding doctrine, doctrinal changes, historical basis for various doctrines, as well as offer rebuttal responses from the perspective of a former Jehovah's Witness. I can also answer questions from the perspective of an ardent Jehovah's Witness.
Experience I am 33 years old, became a publisher and gave my first public talk at age 4, was baptized at age 12, became an inactive publisher at age 32, and disassociated myself at age 33. My father has served as a congregation servant/elder continuously from the age of 17 on. Of my 9 uncles, 6 are elders. Of my 9 aunts, four are regular pioneers. My father is the presiding overseer of a congregation. When I began seriously investigating this religion I had to prepare for conversations with a very large extended family steeped in the history and doctrine of Jehovah's Witnesses. I have thoroughly studied many Watchtower Society publications that most Jehovah's Witnesses have never even read, if they have heard of them at all, seeking the origins of various doctrinal points. I knew I would need to have this knowledge to discuss the issues in detail with my family when I decided to disassociate myself.
Education/Credentials I read every Watchtower and Awake! magazine from at least age 8 through age 32. According to the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society I have the equivalent of several four-year degrees (Reference available on request). I would hope that education would qualify me as an expert.
Question I know Jehovah's Witnesses claim neutrality in military conflicts, and I've been told that this has biblical precedent. Is this true? Is there biblical precedent for not joining the military?
Answer Lilly,
There is biblical support for choosing to remain neutral in military conflicts given certain interpretation applied to certain Scriptures.
For instance, Jesus cautioned to Peter to return his sword to its place, citing that all those who take the sword will perish by the sword. (Matthew 26:52) One could assume that this was instruction to all Christians to avoid armed conflict of any kind.
Jesus also said his disciples were no part of the world. (John 15:17-19; John 17:14-16) One could assume that this is instruction to reject political and nationalistic entanglements including military service.
Finally, Jesus said his disciples would have love among themselves. (John 13:34,35) If JWs in many different nations fought for their nation of birth, they might wind up being asked to kill each other. (Genesis 4:8-15) One could reason that it would be difficult to claim that they loved their foreign brother if they were willing to put themselves in a position to be potentially asked to kill their brother.
However, there is clear secular evidence that not all First Century Christians refused military service.
There is also Scriptural evidence that a Roman army officer of the Italian band was acceptable although a part of the military. Since there is Scriptural evidence, there is no need to discuss the lines of secular evidence unless you wish to do so.
Acts 10:1-2
Now in Caesarea there was a certain man named Cornelius, an army officer of the Italian band, as it was called, a devout man and one fearing God together with all his household, and he made many gifts of mercy to the people and made supplication to God continually.
In this account, we do not find any indication that Cornelius was retired. In fact, "a devout soldier" was among those Cornelius eventually sent to Peter.
Cornelius was nowhere instructed to resign his position, yet after fewer than 200 Greek words were spoken to him, he and all his household received Holy Spirit and were then baptized with water.
This should serve as indisputable proof that those in military service are not rejected by God even if someone else makes a different conscientious decision.
In conclusion, establishing a religious prohibition on military service has no basis in Scripture, while either individual decision could be supported by the Scriptures.
I hope this has answered your question to your satisfaction.
