Note: This issue can be researched on the Internet more extensively. Perhaps the first person to bring this issue to the public's attention was Raymond Franz in his groundbreaking book, Crisis of Conscience, and readers who wish a more detailed examination are encouraged to consult that publication. The following is a summary of the issues and some of the information contained in Franz' account. For another exploration into the strange distinction made by the Society when it comes to Mexico see: The Mexican Question
MALAWI vs. MEXICO
Neutrality Issues
According to the teaching, Jehovah's Witnesses are supposed to be politically neutral. Involved in maintaining Christian neutrality is refusing to run for or hold political office, not joining a political party or engaging in patriotic activities such as saluting or pledging allegiance to the flag (these later things additionally being considered forms of idolatry and false worship.) (See On Neutrality and Patriotism for an examination of how these things have changed recently.)
Very similar to and akin to political neutrality is the view that Jehovah's Witnesses hold towards serving in the military. Serving in activities of warfare were until very recently seen as a violation of the basic law of love that a Christian should exercise as well as subjugation to a political king against the greater laws of God.
Finally, the accepting or payment of bribes is considered to be unchristian conduct and to be shunned.
These matters, until perhaps very recently, were not considered to be "matters of personal conscience" whereby the individual Witnesses could choose for themselves whether they would engage in such activities. These matters were viewed strictly as violations of Christian neutrality and sins.
Malawi Political Card (1960s - 1980s)
In modern times, the Christian body, known world wide as Jehovah's Witnesses, has experienced from the "wild beast" the same things as first-century Christians. Take the African country of Malawi, for example. There all citizens have been required to become members of the country's only existing political party, the "Malawi Congress Party." A membership card costing about twenty-five cents (U.S.) identifies the bearer as ‘acquiescing to the principles of the ruling political party,' especially to the Life President, Dr. H. Kamuzu Banda. How are the people of Malawi to view the purchase of a "Party Card"? An official circular issued on August 27, 1975, says: "This is the one way in which we people of this country can show appreciation to our Life Leader, the Ngwazi [Dr. Banda] for developing this country of Malawi." Accordingly, refusal to buy a "Party Card" is viewed as a lack of appreciation-an act of disloyalty to Life President Dr. Banda. The fact that the person refusing to buy a "Party Card" is a law-abiding citizen who truly loves his fellowmen is not taken into consideration. In the eyes of the Malawi government, the individual is a criminal, not deserving of any legal protection.
As a result, men and women who, for conscience' sake, refused to buy "Party Cards" have suffered terrible persecution. Many have had their homes burned and their belongings seized. They have been severely beaten, often to the point of unconsciousness. Shocking indignities have been perpetrated against them, including sexual abuses. Some have been killed. Thousands have been herded into concentration camps. Infants have been taken from their mothers and later some of these have died because of not being given proper attention.
Many persons would probably say that it would surely be better just to buy the "Party Card" and thus avoid trouble. Jehovah's Christian witnesses, of course, do not expect all people to understand their position nor are they interested in forcing their conscientious objections on others. In that respect, all they desire is to be allowed to live morally clean lives, to be able to demonstrate, by word and action, depth of concern for their fellowmen, and to have the freedom to give God exclusive devotion. (Excerpt from Watchtower 1976 10/15 p. 632-636)
Beginning in 1964, Jehovah's Witnesses in Malawi began to experience intense persecution of such heinous scope and nature that one today might compare it to the outbreaks of genocide in Rwanda and other African nations that have occurred more recently. Many Jehovah's Witnesses were beaten, raped and killed simply because, following the direction of the Society, they refused to purchase the "Party Card" that would indicate that they supported the ruling government.
If this was the end of the story, it might be a fine testament to their resolve, whether misguided or not, to maintain their Christian neutrality and integrity.
Mexico Military Service Card (1960s - 1980s)
In Mexico, men who underwent military training for one year were eligible to obtain a Military Service Card ("Identity Cartilla for Military Service"). Persons who held the card were obligated to report for military duty in the event of war or other activation by the national government in the first reserve. (This is similar to the "National Guard" in the U.S.). Although it was not absolutely necessary to undergo the training and obtain the military service card, the card was sometimes required by employers and necessary to obtain a passport. (There was actually a special waiver to obtain a passport without having the cartilla that could be applied for.)
The situation in Mexico was that many persons simply paid a bribe to the local officials to log false entries in the service training records and ultimately paid another bribe to the officials to obtain the card itself. According to the Mexican Branch Office, it was a common practice among Jehovah's Witnesses to follow suit and pay such bribes and to hold such cards without either undergoing the training and without any intention of actually serving in the military.
In a letter dated February 4, 1960 from the Mexican Branch Office to the Bethel headquarters, the issue was squarely presented to the Society with a request for direction on the matter. The reply letter dated June 2, 1960, from the Society to the Mexican brothers unequivocally stated that the payment of such bribes in order to obtain the card and the holding of such cards was up to the "individual's personal conscience." The reply letter contained the provisos that should the brothers actually be called for military service that they would have to decide whether to remain neutral or not and also that if such conduct got them into "any difficulties" (i.e. legal trouble) that the Society could not "offer them any assistance."
Nine years later, in a letter dated August 27, 1969, the Mexican Branch Office again wrote the Society at Bethel inquiring whether the position outlined in its June 2, 1960 letter was unchanged given the fact that the brothers holding the cartilla would be in the "first reserve" of those called up.
In the reply letter dated September 5, 1969, the Society confirmed its earlier position with respect to allowing the Mexican brothers to obtain a military service card (without taking up arms, i.e. by paying the bribes) if their individual conscience so permitted.
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The double standards shown in the lenient treatment of the Mexican witnesses in informing them that the decision of obtaining a non-essential military service card was a matter for their own consciences contrasted with the strict stance for the Malawi Witnesses that obtaining the political "Party Card," even though it meant escaping vicious persecution, would be a violation of their Christian neutrality is readily apparent and sickening.
To date, no official explanation or apology for the double-standard has been made by the Society to the Malawi brothers or the worldwide association.
