Many faithful Jehovah's
Witnesses have died obeying the
Watchtower stance on neutrality.
This article shows the tragedy
that occurred when Malawian
Witnesses were hypocritically
forced to uphold a higher
standard than was expected of
those in Mexico, or by the
Governing Body themselves.
Religion becomes most culpable
when its rules lead to the death
of its followers. In ancient times
this was as blatant as human
sacrifice; in modern times it is
subtler, such as forbidding
medical treatment. Graphic
representation of this in
Watchtower history has been the
devastating torture and murder
of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Malawi
during the 1970’s and 1980’s.
Most disturbing is that the
doctrine enforced in Malawi is
misguided and was not applied
consistently in different
countries.
When reading Crisis of
Conscience by Raymond Franz,
chapter 6 titled “Double
Standards” disturbed me more
than any other. Here was
explained how a Watchtower
doctrinal principle that lead to
the torture and death of 1000’s
of Malawian Witnesses was
excused for those in Mexico.
Malawian Witnesses suffered
unspeakable atrocities due to
following the Watchtower’s
illogical policy forbidding them to
hold a political card in a one
party state. During the same
period, Witnesses in Mexico were
permitted to bribe officials for a
Cartilla card in order to escape
military service.
This article outlines this blight on
Watchtower history. It is one of
the most distressing aspects of
Watchtower leadership and has
led many Witnesses to re-
evaluate the wisdom of ascribing
spirit direction to the Governing
Body and following them
without question.
Malawi
The following Watchtower
articles discuss the torture that
occurred in Malawi.
“At Lilongwe in central Malawi,
170 homes of these Christians
were burned down in three
nights. In the Fort Johnston
district, slightly to the south, 34
homes and 18 food storage
places were burned down
toward the end of October. At
Mbalame on October 27 the
Christians of two congregations
all had their homes burned down
while they, including the women,
were stripped of their clothes
and brutally beaten ... Since this is
the way the witnesses of
Jehovah conduct themselves,
why, then, all this violent
persecution of them in Malawi?
One of the main reasons is that
the Witnesses refuse to buy
membership cards in Malawi’s
Congress Party as well as refuse
to buy and wear badges with the
picture of the President of
Malawi, Dr. H. Kamuzu Banda.
Other religious organizations,
Catholic, Protestant and Moslem,
have all yielded to pressure in
these respects, but Jehovah’s
witnesses have not. Why?
Because of their strictly adhering
to the Word of God.” Watchtower
1968 Feb 1 p.71
“It is because Jehovah’s
Witnesses refuse to buy the
Malawi Congress Party card. This
card declares the holder to be a
member of the ruling political
party of Malawi. But for Jehovah’s
Witnesses to buy a political card
and thus join a political party
would be an open denial of what
they believe and stand for.”
Awake! 1976 Aug 8 p.5
“For some of our dear sisters, the
persecution was especially
harrowing. Many were the
reports of rape, mutilation, and
beating of Christian women. The
sadistic attackers spared nobody.
The elderly, the young, and even
some pregnant sisters were put
through such cruel ordeals. Some
suffered miscarriages as a result.
Once again, thousands were
forced to flee their villages. Many
found refuge in the bush. Others
went into temporary exile in
neighboring Mozambique. By the
end of November 1967, the
brutal wave of attacks on
Jehovah’s Witnesses had claimed
at least five more lives. … The
vicious attacks claimed many
lives. In Cape Maclear, at the
southern end of Lake Malawi,
bundles of grass were tied
around Zelphat Mbaiko. Petrol
was poured on the grass and set
alight. He was literally burned to
death! Sisters also suffered
terribly. Following their refusal to
buy party cards, many were
repeatedly raped by party
officials. In Lilongwe, Sister
Magola, along with many others,
tried to flee the trouble. However,
she was pregnant and could not
run very fast. A mob, acting like a
pack of wild dogs, caught up
with her and beat her to death.
At the campus of Bunda College
of Agriculture, just outside of
Lilongwe, six brothers and one
sister were murdered and their
bodies were horribly mutilated.”
Yearbook 1999 pp.182,189
This sickening account of brutal
rape, torture and murder of
Jehovah’s witnesses is shocking
and the people responsible
cannot be excused for their
actions, but this could have been
prevented by purchasing a
political card. The reasoning the
Watchtower leaders used when
setting their brothers up to come
in line for such persecution was
that Witnesses are to be “no part
of the world”.
“However, because Jesus Christ
said that his followers would be
“no part of the world,” Jehovah’s
Witnesses also maintain a
position of strict neutrality as to
the wars of the nations and their
political affairs.” Yearbook 1999
p.171 Malawi
Jesus Christ said of his followers:
“They are no part of the world.”
And he told a first-century
political ruler: “My kingdom is no
part of this world.” (John 17:16;
18:36) Therefore, Jehovah’s
Witnesses believe that joining a
political party is wrong for them.
They are not being obstinate or
unreasonable. They would gladly
buy an identification document,
or even a card that declares them
to be tax-paying citizens of the
country. Awake! 1976 Aug 8 p.5
Malawi—What’s Happening
There Now?
The Watchtower claims the
brothers could not compromise
what they are told by the “word
of God”. However, this is false
reasoning, as the “word of God”
does not prohibit political
involvement. The Bible provides
examples of God’s followers
being involved in politics, such as
Joseph, who was second in
charge of the Egyptian
government.
Genesis 41:39-43 - "After that
Phar´aoh said to Joseph: “Since
God has caused you to know all
this, there is no one as discreet
and wise as you are. You will
personally be over my house, and
all my people will obey you
implicitly. Only as to the throne
shall I be greater than you.” And
Phar´aoh added to Joseph: “See, I
do place you over all the land of
Egypt.” With that Phar´aoh
removed his signet ring from his
own hand and put it upon
Joseph’s hand and clothed him
with garments of fine linen and
placed a necklace of gold about
his neck. Moreover, he had him
ride in the second chariot of
honor that he had, so that they
should call out ahead of him,
“A·vrékh!” thus putting him over
all the land of Egypt."
The government’s requirement in
Malawi was far less than Joseph’s
involvement in government; it
was simply a law to hold a
political membership card.
It is bad enough that the
Governing Body misused the
“word of God” to set the
Malawian brothers up for
murder. Worse however is to
find out that they applied a
different standard to Witnesses
in other countries and especially
to themselves.
Mexico
At the same time that Witnesses
were forbidden to hold a card in
Malawi a comparable situation
arose in Mexico, with the
Governing Body ruling in the
opposite direction for Mexican
brothers. In Mexico, military
service was compulsory for
young men. On completion of
service young men would receive
a “Cartilla” card, which similar to
the card in Malawi, was required
for a transactions such as
obtaining a passport and drivers
license. Young Witness brothers
experienced persecution and
imprisonment for refusing their
obligation to attend military
service.
In order to relieve this suffering,
the Governing Body ruled that it
was acceptable for Mexican
brothers to bribe officials to
obtain a government Cartilla card
that exempted them from
military service. This is discussed
in the following letter to Mexico
Branch Committee dated June 2,
1960.
“As to those who are relieved of
military training by a money
transaction with the officials
who are involved therewith, this
is on par with what is done in
other Latin American countries
where brothers have paid for
their relief through some military
official in order to retain their
freedom for theocratic activities.
If members of the military
establishment are willing to
accept such an arrangement
upon the payment of a fee then
that is the responsibility of these
representatives of the national
organisation. In such a case the
money paid does not go to the
military establishment, but is
appropriated by the individual
who undertakes the
arrangement. If the consciences
of certain brothers allow them to
enter into such an arrangement
for their continued freedom we
have no objection. Of course, if
they would get into any
difficulties over their course of
action then they would have to
shoulder such difficulties
themselves, and we could not
offer them any assistance. But if
the arrangement is current down
there and is recognized by the
inspectors who do not make any
inquiries into the veracity of the
matter then the matter can be
passed by for the accruing
advantages. Should a military
emergency arise and confront
these brothers with their
marching card it would oblige
them to make a decision by
which they could not extricate
themselves by a money payment
and their mettle would be tested
and they would have to
demonstrate outright where they
stand and prove that they are in
favor of Christian neutrality in a
determined test.
Faithfully yours in the Kingdom
ministry,
Watchtower B.&T. Society
of Pensylvania
It is interesting that for Mexico it
could be justified that holding a
governmental card through
bribery is acceptable, since it
allowed the brothers to continue
in “theocratic activities”, yet
obtaining a political card legally
in Malawi was not acceptable
even though it would have
allowed the same freedoms.

the question is, what is the bible's position on politics? what does history say concerning early christians and politics? instead of concentrating on what the GB says, it is better to know what the scriptures say.

what does an ambassador do in another land?

Jehovah,s witnesses doesn,t tolerate immorality its obvious dat dis fellow has committed immorality and and has expelled 4rm christian congregation dat is why he is talking rubish,you better repent and seek assistant.

Nwa oguta: Jehovah,s witnesses doesn,t tolerate immorality its obvious dat dis fellow has committed immorality and and has expelled 4rm christian congregation dat is why he is talking rubish,you better repent and seek assistant.

bros I think thats true. if someone thinks that our teaching is wrong biblically, good. then prove it first before you cast your criticism.

if their teaching is correct and people die cos of believing in it, what is wrong with that?

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