Jehovah’s Witnesses will not be voting in the independence referendum.
A spokesman for the denomination said members did not take part in elections of any kind because according to their interpretation of the Bible Jesus was politically “neutral”.
There are about 139,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses in Scotland, England and Wales.
Members worship in Kingdom Halls in cities and towns including Aberdeen, Elgin, Forres, Fraserburgh, Huntly, Inverness, Kirkwall, Lerwick and Oban.
The news comes as campaigners on both sides of the historic debate are encouraging people to register to vote before today’s deadline.
Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, convener of the Christians for Independence group, said his interpretation of the Bible differed.
“The Jehovah’s Witnesses are entitled to their view but I believe Jesus was very interested in social justice issues,” he said.
“There are hundreds of references to poverty in the old and new testaments.”
North-east Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald said: “I would encourage everyone who has not registered to vote to do so. But it is a judgement call for each individual Jehovah’s Witness to make on whether they think the referendum is different to a normal election.
“I would respect the right of people not to vote.”