Subject to the Authorities

[youthcrusader]

Do Jehovah’s Witnesses believe they are subject to the authorities? I’ve heard that they believe everything of this world including the State is of Satan. Of course, this stands in direct opposition to the teachings of St. Paul and Our Lord:

17: Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?"
18: But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites?
19: Show me the money for the tax.” And they brought him a coin.
20: And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?”
21: They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” -Mt 22:17-22

 

[carol_marie]

youthcrusader:

Do Jehovah’s Witnesses believe they are subject to the authorities? I’ve heard that they believe everything of this world including the State is of Satan. Of course, this stands in direct opposition to the teachings of St. Paul and Our Lord:

17: Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?"
18: But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites?
19: Show me the money for the tax.” And they brought him a coin.
20: And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?”
21: They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” -Mt 22:17-22

Yes, they believe that they are subject to the authorities in that all laws that don’t conflict with God’s laws must be obeyed and taxes must be paid. (“Render to Ceasar…” is often quoted in their literature.)

What they would not support is the political system - like voting or voicing an opinion about anything political. They are also not patriotic - no displaying any flags - no singing anthems - no pledging alegence (sp?) to any government.