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Doctrine changes · Claim record

In 1998 The Watchtower acknowledged that 'some Witnesses have suffered for refusing to share in an activity that their conscience now might permit', giving 'certain types of civilian service' as the example.

Claim ID claim-doctrine-civilian-service-1998-sufferedConcerns 15 August 1998Organisation's explanation
Organisation's explanation · 15 August 1998 Verified

In 1998 The Watchtower acknowledged that 'some Witnesses have suffered for refusing to share in an activity that their conscience now might permit', giving 'certain types of civilian service' as the example. The Watchtower, 15 August 1998

The organisation’s position or later explanation: Same article: such ones have 'no reason to regret having followed' their conscience.

Show the evidence (1 source)
Primary JW publication Verified

The Watchtower, “Strengthening Our Confidence in God's Righteousness”

15 August 1998 · pp.15-20 · par. 6 (p. 17) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society

“In the past, some Witnesses have suffered for refusing to share in an activity that their conscience now might permit. For example, this might have been their choice years ago as to certain types of civilian service.”

Under the subheading about feelings of having suffered needlessly; the article says such ones have no reason to regret following their conscience.

Official source

Provenance and verification note

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

Corroborated by. src-w-1996-0501-paying-back-caesar

Notes. Organisation's own acknowledgement that the earlier stance had personal cost.

Accessed. 19 September 2026 · Source ID. src-w-1998-0815-suffered-needlessly

Claim page

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