How do people work things out when one parent is a Jehovah's witness and the other a regular Joe?

Answer 1

A typical Jehovah's Witness *IS* a "regular Joe"!

The maturing child of parents who are not both Jehovah's Witnesses has a real challenge and a real opportunity. He can either work with his Witness parent to help the other gain the truth, or he can work against the truth. The choice is up to the child.

Of course, a home where Christianity thrives is likely to receive blessings in this system of things AND in the next!

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/20040615/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/19971208/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20031222/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20050408/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/19990215/article_01.htm

Answer 2

This is one of the reasons religions, not just JWs advise against marrying outside ones religion. It is even more problematic for children raised in the JWs as they receive a more thorough education on the Bible than children of other religions. By the time a JW child reaches the age of understanding, they have a basic knowledge of the Bible, and may have have read it through at least once. It would be quite a change to go from that to being considered not smart enough to learn anything except Bible stories. There is also knowing what day Christ said to observe to observing only man made holidays, and denying the authority of Christ in not observing the day he said to.

In the JWs, a child of 12 begins learning public speaking and how to minister the teachings of Christ. Going from that to being told they are too immature teach anyone about Christ and that should just believe what they are told to believe.

Answer 3

I am not a JW, but, in my opinion, after being in a similar religion, awhile ago...( I was in, my husband was the "regular Joe"!) I remember that it was very challenging..It didn't have to be unpleasant, but it was. I didn't push my religion on the regular Joe, but I was bringing my daughter, then 6, until 14 years old to services. It caused conflicts, so working it out can be difficult.
( I finally left this church, after a number of years)
But in your case, knowing how the JW's really try to convert their families, I would suggest that the regular Joe is right, and definitly needs to have alot of input as to whether the kids are brainwashed into this religion. Kids are too young to realize the seriousness of such a different and strict religion. I know alot about the JW's and I sure wouldn't want my kids to live this religion, especially if they are not old enough to make that decision for themselves. It isn't fair to them, if they are dragged into it, just because one parent attends services.
It should be worked out that the regular Joe, insists that their kids be old enough to either want to not want to join the church.

Answer 4

The person I am married to grew up in a home like the one described here (although, in this case, it was a regular JoAnn)...

The children in the family were exposed to the religion from a young age but were also expected to participate in family holidays on their mother's side. They were presented with both options (admittedly, my father in law spent hours reasoning with them on his bible based beliefs and I'm sure he spent entire nights in prayer about it). The children were always told they would ultimately be given the choice when they felt old enough to make it but to preserve peace, both parents tried hard not to push their own personal opinions.

Eventually, four out of four children grew up and chose to be Jehovah's Witnesses. My brother-in-law spent some 15 adult years making his final decision but, in the end, all but my mother in law are Witnesses.

My mother in law and father in law have what looks to be a strong and happy marriage (39 years!). She still doesn't believe what he believes but she has a lot of respect for him and says he has been a very good husband. He says he appreciates the support she has always given him and they seem to have a lot of fun together.

Answer 5

The Witness follows Bible principals set out in the Apostle Paul's letters always honoring God so that the unbeliever may be shown Godly example and will hopefully also become one of His children.

Answer 6

Probably with a lot of yelling and screaming