Partially No Part of the World

Witnesses profess that they are not part of the world. The word, they say, consists of three parts: a false religious system, a political system, and a commercial system. (w11 10/15 p. 28) They espouse complete neutrality in political matters, too. (uw chap. 21 p. 166) However, this claim is belied by their actions. Jehovah’s Witnesses make frequent use of legislative systems, which contradicts their supposed political neutrality. Moreover, their members are (for the most part) not forbidden from working for companies that ostensibly make up the commercial element of Satan’s work. Neither are they disallowed from investing in these companies by purchasing stocks and bonds, (w09 7/1 p. 11; g00 10/8 p. 27) nor are they penalized when they start their own (sometimes lucrative) companies.

This does not add up. In particular, if being no part of the world means having nothing to do with false religion, never voting, never going to war and the like, how can this group’s extensive use of the courts, its members' involvement in business and commerce be allowed? Or if it is allowed, how can an absolute prohibition on voting, for instance, be maintained as a necessary condition of being no part of the world? It seems ludicrous to me to suggest that voting in a local election is an impermissible political act, but appealing to the Supreme Court of the United States is a permissible non-political act.

With respect to the last claim, I am sure Witnesses will cite Paul’s appeal to Caesar. I do not begrudge them this. However, it only goes so far. It may justify the Witness use of the judiciary, but it doesn’t mean that their use is a non-political act. It must be kept in mind that the man to whom the Apostle appealed, Caesar, possessed ultimate executive, judicial, and legislative power. Likewise, Witnesses swayed the highest court of the federal judiciary, which is the third branch of the Federal government. The decision that was rendered has had more significant effects than would voting in most local elections.

I, for one, would not say that engaging in business, working for another’s company, or investing makes one part of the world. But if Witnesses can see this with respect to commercial systems of this world, (pe chap. 25 p. 212) why forbid all political activity on grounds that participating in it would necessarily make one part of the world?