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Doctrine changes · Claim record

The only footnote in the 1996 article refers readers to The Watchtower of 15 May 1964 p. 308 par. 21, which is a general paragraph about making decisions from Bible principles rather than a statement of the earlier rule on civilian service.

Claim ID claim-doctrine-civilian-service-1996-footnoteConcerns 1 May 1996Independent finding
Independent finding · 1 May 1996 Verified

The only footnote in the 1996 article refers readers to The Watchtower of 15 May 1964 p. 308 par. 21, which is a general paragraph about making decisions from Bible principles rather than a statement of the earlier rule on civilian service. The Watchtower, 1 May 1996The Watchtower, 15 May 1964

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

The Watchtower, “Maintaining Unity in Difficult Times”

15 May 1964 · pp.303-310 · par. 21 (p. 308) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society

“If we know the principles of God's Word in the Bible it will not be so difficult for a dedicated person to make right decisions.”

The paragraph cited by the 1996 footnote. It is about facing new situations with Bible principles; it does not itself state a rule on civilian/alternative service.

Official source

Provenance and verification note

Confidence note. Opened on wol.jw.org; paragraph 21 confirmed on p. 308.

Notes. Useful to show that the 1996 article's footnote does not direct readers to the earlier ruling being replaced.

Accessed. 19 September 2026 · Source ID. src-w-1964-0515-maintaining-unity-par21

Claim page

A direct link to this claim is https://jwtruth.org/evidence/claim-doctrine-civilian-service-1996-footnote/. Every source above opens the original document or the best available copy. If you believe the wording, date or context is wrong, report an error.