The Atlantic - Latest Comments in Also on Prince

Re: Also on Prince

Shawn Holland — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:26:24 -0000

Actually Jehovah's Witnesses have always been able to vote. There are no rules against it. JWs just don't take sides in the world's political affairs, but many things are not political.

Re: Also on Prince

Kate — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:06:40 -0000

See, this just bugs me- digital recorders are cheap as chips nowadays- why the hell wouldn't you record an interview with someone?

You don't have to stress about making a mistake when writing down a complicated quote, and if the subject objects to something you wrote, you can release the audio, or at least get the NY Times editors to listen to it.

Is it a curmudgeon, I-don't-need-that-newfangled-crap thing, or is the nytimes cost-cutting that much?

Re: Also on Prince

Incertus (Brian) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:34:43 -0000

The thing about JWs voting isn't quite that simple. When I was a member, back 15 or so years ago, it was clear--Witnesses didn't vote in political elections. It was based on the idea that their allegiance belonged to the kingdom of God found in the Lord's Prayer (thy kingdom come). That's also why they don't sing the national anthem or say the pledge of allegiance.

But apparently, around 1999, the word came down that voting was largely a conscience matter, and that you wouldn't be booted from the congregation if you did. It's still frowned upon, and I'll bet that you'd be hard pressed to find members from my generation who would do it, or that anyone in a position of authority would do it, but it is allowable now.

Re: Also on Prince

Rainy — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:34:58 -0000

The conversation wasn't even recorded so it he could have been misquoted.

Re: Also on Prince

alkali — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:13:52 -0000

Unless I'm mistaken, you can't fact-check a quote beyond reviewing the writer's notes (assuming the interview was not recorded).

Re: Also on Prince

ronbailey — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:52:21 -0000

I'm surprised that nobody has read it as a publicity stunt - It certainly wouldn't be the first time the Purple One said something controversial to taunt the media and his fan base.

Re: Also on Prince

Persia — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:43:49 -0000

Tom is correct. And I'm not giving up my old copy of Purple Rain, or my...

Oh, wait, all that other stuff was downloaded illegally. Never mind.

Re: Also on Prince

Tom — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:16:22 -0000

Prince veered from good crazy to bad crazy shortly after Lovesexy.

Re: Also on Prince

Stax — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:12:51 -0000

I don't care what that freaky little dude said, I am NOT giving up my vinyl copy of Sign O The Times!