I was born to jehovahs witness family but married to a catholic childhood sweetheart. We got 3 kids and live a happy life. As kids were growing old however, they got confused of the family's religious practices. about 2 yrs ago, i decided to affiliate in a catholic community. My problem is no matter how how i tried to embrace all their practices, i still cannot do it fully without the feeling of hessitation and guilt... Please help...
2006-11-25 16:51:36 · 9 answers · asked by Faye 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Baptized Witnesses who publicly engage in worship with another religion are considered to have disassociated themselves from Jehovah's Witnesses.
Contrary to the misinformation of anti-Witnesses, it is quite possible to become inactive in the JW religion without becoming disfellowshipped. As long as one's lifestyle does not bring reproach upon the congregation, and as long as one does not advocate one's disagreements with the religion, the congregation has no interest in "investigating", exposing, and disfellowshipping an inactive former Jehovah's Witness.
For those who are disfellowshipped or disassociated, a primarly goal is to shock the person into recognizing the serious of their wrong so that they rejoin the congregation in pure worship. Since the primary bonds that are broken involve friendship and spiritual fellowship, it is well understood that family bonds remain intact. Parents, siblings, and grown children of disfellowshipped and disassociated ones sometimes choose to limit what they may feel is discouraging or "bad association" but that is a personal decision and is not required by their religion.
Former Witnesses who are disfellowshipped or disassociated are typically treated in accord with the Scriptural pattern explained in these Scriptures:
(1 Corinthians 5:11-13) Quit mixing in company with anyone called a brother that is a fornicator or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, not even eating with such a man. ...Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.
(Titus 3:10) As for a man that promotes a sect, reject him after a first and a second admonition
(Romans 16:17) Now I exhort you, brothers, to keep your eye on those who cause divisions and occasions for stumbling contrary to the teaching that you have learned, and avoid them.
(2 Thessalonians 3:6) Now we are giving you orders, brothers, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to withdraw from every brother walking disorderly and not according to the tradition you received from us.
(2 Thessalonians 3:14) But if anyone is not obedient to our word through this letter, keep this one marked, stop associating with him, that he may become ashamed.
(2 John 10) If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, never receive him into your homes or say a greeting to him.
(Matthew 18:17) If he does not listen to them, speak to the congregation. If he does not listen even to the congregation, let him be to you just as a man of the nations
Becoming baptized as a Jehovah's Witnesses is not a trivial step. At a minimum, a student must demonstrate months of regular meeting attendance and public ministry, then must himself express the desire to be baptized. The candidate then spends hours answering hundreds of bible questions wherein he expresses both a clear understanding and personal conviction regarding Jehovah's Witness teachings in at least three separate interviews with three different elders. The candidate must vocally agree to be baptized in front of hundreds or thousands of eyewitnesses, and must be publicly immersed in water. This is not a momentary emotional decision by an unreasoning child. Dedication as a Witness required hard work and determination at the time.
Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/19880415/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/19970101/article_01.htm
2006-11-27 06:44:01 · answer #1 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmm. Okay. Did you decide to be Catholic to keep the peace in your house? It's good that you would do that. A house divided against itself does not stand.
( Yes, I know, out of context. But I'm sure you see my point )
You're worried if you're following the " One True Faith " or are you condemning your family to hell, right? Simply because you decided to become a Catholic does not make you hell-bound.
You were raised JW, and you still have some ingrained loyalty towards that church. That's fine. But, is there anything in the Church you now go to, that would obstruct you or your families path for salvation? That's one you have to answer for your self.
2006-11-26 00:59:00 · answer #2 · answered by Odindmar 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Theres a phrase, "to each their own"
If you feel hesitant and guilty about being affiliated with the Catholic community don't be in it, no body should be able to pressure you into a religion your not comfortable with not even your own family.
I'm sure you're family will understand.
In the long run being affiliated with a religion you're not comfortable with can cause problems for you personally as well as with your family
2006-11-26 00:57:36 · answer #3 · answered by b_chaotic 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, the problem may be what you were taught with Jehovah's Witnesses. This is a cult and has such a strong influence on their followers that they think the only ones that are going to get life is Jehovah's Witnesses. Re examine what you were taught and what effect this if having on you now. You may need to find someone who is familiar with this group who can "deprogram" you.
2006-11-26 01:24:08 · answer #4 · answered by Alan C 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You think you got problems!!! I'm a hydro cephalic and I married a Cretan. Come on, if you're Catholic, you can joke about it and enjoy the fact that no one even knows all the prayers; if you're J.W., jokes are prohibited. Not a hard choice to make for most people.
2006-11-26 00:59:42 · answer #5 · answered by john s 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
go to a non denominational church, all will be happy and understanding the same practices, which is based on the bible.
2006-11-26 01:01:14 · answer #6 · answered by sidekick 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aren't they both denominations of the same religion anyway? Both are christian, so there's no reason to feel guilty.
2006-11-26 00:55:26 · answer #7 · answered by Roman Soldier 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be easier to help you if we knew which practices you are having trouble with.
God bless,
Stanbo
2006-11-26 00:56:09 · answer #8 · answered by Stanbo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
become a Jew ;(
2006-11-26 00:55:32 · answer #9 · answered by ICE-T 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋