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Doctrine changes · Claim record

In May 1996 The Watchtower said that a Witness who concludes that national civilian service is a 'good work' he can perform makes 'his decision before Jehovah' and remains 'a Christian in good standing', as does one who refuses.

Claim ID claim-doctrine-civilian-service-1996-conscienceConcerns 1 May 1996Explicit statement
Explicit statement · 1 May 1996 Verified

In May 1996 The Watchtower said that a Witness who concludes that national civilian service is a 'good work' he can perform makes 'his decision before Jehovah' and remains 'a Christian in good standing', as does one who refuses. The Watchtower, 1 May 1996Watch Tower Publications Index (Research Guide) — 'Beliefs Clarified' entry, 2026

The organisation’s position or later explanation: The organisation's 'Beliefs Clarified' index lists this as the 1996 adjustment on 'civilian service in lieu of military service' (yb97 16; w96 5/1 19-20).

Show the evidence (2 sources)
Primary JW publication Verified

The Watchtower, “Paying Back Caesar's Things to Caesar”

1 May 1996 · pp.15-20 · par. 21 and footnote a (p. 20) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society

“That is his decision before Jehovah. Appointed elders and others should fully respect the conscience of the brother and continue to regard him as a Christian in good standing. If, however, a Christian feels that he cannot perform this civilian service, his position should also be respected. He too remains in good standing and should receive loving support.”

Paragraph 21 on a Christian who concludes that national civilian service is a 'good work' he can perform. The article's only footnote reads: 'See The Watchtower of May 15, 1964, page 308, paragraph 21.'

Official source

Provenance and verification note

Confidence note. Opened on wol.jw.org; wording, paragraph and page confirmed.

Corroborated by. src-idx-beliefs-clarified, src-w-1998-0815-suffered-needlessly

Notes. The 'Beliefs Clarified' index lists this as the 1996 change on 'civilian service in lieu of military service' (with yb97 p. 16).

Accessed. 19 September 2026 · Source ID. src-w-1996-0501-paying-back-caesar

Primary JW publication Verified

Watch Tower Publications Index (Research Guide) — 'Beliefs Clarified' entry, “Beliefs Clarified”

2026 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society

“1988 … no resurrection for dead in Sodom and Gomorrah: w88 6/1 30-31 … 1996 … civilian service in lieu of military service: yb97 16; w96 5/1 19-20 … 2024 … help for ones removed from the congregation: w24.08 27-28”

The organisation's own dated list of adjusted beliefs, with references; also lists 1929/1962 'superior authorities', 1927/2013 'faithful and discreet slave', 1995 and 2008-2010 'this generation', 2024 Sodom and great-tribulation entries. No lines match 'transplant', 'vaccin' or 'beard'.

Official source

Provenance and verification note

Confidence note. Opened on wol.jw.org and full text searched locally.

Notes. Referenced by the jw.org FAQ as the place where changes are 'recorded and published'.

Accessed. 19 September 2026 · Source ID. src-idx-beliefs-clarified

Claim page

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