I dont wanna be a Jehovahs Witness...but my mom wants me to?

Question

I was raised in the Jehovahs Witness religion and I decided that it wasnt for me and my mom is having a hard time dealing with this and is making life hard for me right now, what should I do because I still live at home so she makes me go to her house of worship (kingdom hall) and says I must go since im still in her house....

Answer 1

Wow you will get alot of Jehovah's Witnesses on here telling you to stay. Saying it is the true religion blahh blahh. Honest Im not sure how they can call them self a JW by some of there actions I have found on this site. A true JW wouldnt be on this I know it is look down on by the society and it is putting Jehovahs name (god) to shame. I was a Jehovah's Witness for 20 years. Like you raised in it. My Family still is. It was hard for me to tell them I was leaving the Religion but I knew I was unhappy and hated going to meetings. It is true to a point living in her house you have to obey her rules if under 18. But after 18 yes you still need to follow the rules but you should sit and tell you mother that it isn't in your heart. You don't want to be a witness and you going to meetings is a false cover up. You don't feel it. And that you should not be forced to go. Honest fight back. Freedom of being who you are. No one should be able to Force you to think and feel the way they do. I know this wont help alot I hope it helps to know your not a lone and I support you 100% :)

Answer 2

For an organisation that claims to be the only 'true' religion I am amazed that they have to resort to bullying to keep people in line. NO ONE can FORCE another person to accept their religion. Although I can understand why your mom wants you to continue going to the Kingdom Hall, surely she (and every other intelligent Jehovah's Witness out there) must know that people CHOOSE to worship God, they cannot be made to against their will.

While you live at home it is reasonable to obey your parents and respect them. It is NOT reasonable to be forced to attend their church. Jehovah's Witnesses will apply pressure on persons who try to leave, even to the extent of shunning their own family. I'm not making this up. I too was brought up in a JW family and I have experienced the unchristian tacticts they employ when someone wants to leave. For almost 30 years I had a recurring nightmare - my parents would force me to go to their meetings and go out from door to door with the Watchtower and Awake! magazines. The dream only stopped when I became a Christian.

I hope all the other Christians who have responded to your question will join me in prayer, that God will show you a way out and watch over you. Put your trust in Him, and not in any man made organisation. May God bless you and keep you safe.

P.S. View from a Horse has given an excellent and accurate response to Auchtung Heiss' claims. One question re the JW stance that they do not claim divine inspiration or infallibility for their teachings - will they claim responsibility for all the FALSE prophesies they have made about the end of this wicked system of things and the ushering in of God's earthly kingdom? Or do they expect us to believe that "the light is getting ever brighter" thereby conveniently overlooking all the errors they have published over the last 100 years?

Answer 3

Dear Fragile,

WOW! View from a Horse's reply is a hard act to follow. I hope you will take all that he says to heart.

I'm answering because I noticed that you didn't say anything about your dad. Is he alive? Is he a Watchtower Witness?

I ask because even though my mom became a jw before I was born my dad brought me up in the Congregational church. I remember World War III being waged by mom every Sunday and holiday when I was growing up. I remember being told that IF I didn't become a jw by February 3, 1962 then Armageddon would come and I would not be saved.

I did not read the Bible from cover-to-cover until 1992 so I didn't have the full picture until then of how God hates those who distort His Word in any way. Deuteronomy 18:20-22 tells us how to distinguish whether an organization is speaking God's Word or their own.

First Samuel 3:19-20 also speaks of attesting a prophet. That is pretty awesome that the LORD didn't let any of Samuel's words fall to the ground. The words that my mother, other jw relatives and all of the Watchtower material I have read through the decades shows me over and over that the LORD has let each and every one of their words fall to the ground.

I encourage you to read the Bible (not the NWT) from cover-to-cover and take View's words to heart. Do continue to show respect to your mom and pray that the LORD will open her blind eyes.

Answer 4

you know, we live in such a wonderful country. one of the things that make it so great is freedom of religion. it's what the country was founded on. she can't make you be a Jehovahs Witness. she may make you go to church with her but that doesn't mean she can force the faith in you. and if you really don't want to go then tell her that you are an individual person and want the God given right of making up your own mind. it's your spirit and soul and your responsibility to maintain, not hers. let her know how you feel. she can't get you to Heaven, only you can. you have to find the religion that works for you.

Answer 5

I was raised the same way and had to face the same thing... But it's hard to tell your parents when you still leave in their house that you don't want to go... you can just let her know that you don't want to go but it just doesn't work... so what you have to do is wait until you leave home to really make that decision... keep the peace for right now and wait it out... I know how it is... I was ALWAYS getting in trouble because I did my own thing.... It will get better I promise...

Answer 6

From God's point of view, you are required to be obedient to your parents and to respect them, for they have a great responsibility caring for you. I hope you'll agree that they do everything with your best interests at heart? Even if your mom appears to be making an unreasonable demand of you, she's not being a hypocrite as she goes to all those meetings herself. She's trying to do what she sees as the best thing for you, so don't let that lessen your love for her, please.

Also, consider this wonderful promise: "A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out." (Isaiah 42:3) This prophecy about God's Servant was fulfilled in Christ. Believe that as you pray to God for direction, he will be aware of your difficult situation, and, as you maintain an obedient, respectful attitude to your parents, he will honor you. At just the right time, he will show you the way forward. Please do not let this experience put you off believing in God and Christ. There will be many Christian people who have read your question praying for you to endure this trial in a way that honors God, and for your mom to stop trusting in legalistic means and to get close to you by communicating properly. God bless you.

Answer 7

well till you move out you are under her training. There are things my parents say that I don't agree with BUT since I am under their roof I am honor bound to do as they say. If you REALLY do not want to go, then you REALLY need to find another place to live or wait till you are of age and then find another place to live.

I often times think of moving, but I know that right now I am where I need to be to take care of myself and my family.

Just my honest opinion as a 22 year old male, living at home, who also happens to be a Witness.

Answer 8

Hey, you're a brave girl. You didn't say how old you are, but in most states there's an age after which you can legally refuse, even if you live at home. First, if you're old enough, and if you earn your own income, think about finding a good responsible rommate and moving out. But, even if you are too young to leave, you don't have to be 18 to get free legal help. Some states will allow a child of 15 or 16 to have free representation and sue for religious emancipation. That would mean a judge would tell your mom that she has to continue being your mon and providing your home, but that she can't force you to adopt a religious practice you don't believe. If you're younger than 14, most states will pretty much let your parents make you.

Is there another church in your neighborhood you'd be willing to attend for awhile, just to make a statement? You do have the constitutional right to choose to be another religion, and the JW's have even gone to court to allow kids who say they want to go to their meetings to be allowed to go - so, ya know, the coin has two sides - if they'd fight for a child's right to attend, then they have to allow a child not to attend. Again, it depends upon your age.

Some here like to write a long treatise and infer that anyone who disagrees with the JW's is a liar. But I'd like to spend a few minutes refuting some claims:

1) They say they have no paid clergy. But they do - just in an underhanded kind of way. They have circuit ministers and district ministers who get all expenses paid for - meals, car insurance, living quarters, nice clothes, vacations, etc, all in ADDITION to a monthly stipend from the main organization in NY. Yes, all the extra goodies are donated by the congregations, but these men and their wives usually have pretty decent savings accounts somewhere. Hey, who couldn't live as an "itinerant preacher" if they had 100% of meals provided, housing, car, clothes, insurance, and a few hundred bucks a month in cash?

2) Some say the JW's have no "elite class." But they do. You've gone to their meetings, right? Have you noticed how the local elders are treated with such awe, with people hanging on every breath as if it comes from god himself? Have you noticed how some get all the attention and special treats? The pioneer preachers? Their wives / husbands? The local elders? Circuit and district ministers? Their wives? (Almost any single woman in the congregation would just LOVE to catch an elder or a pioneer or other "rising star.") Ya ever notice how some of these get by with almost anything, and complaints about their behaviour are dismissed? What about the NY preachers, the Bethel members, etc. If there is no "Special Class," then, when these are introduced, why is it a special point is made to mention that they are "an elder," "Overseer," "Bethel member (Plus title of position, like "research servant", etc), or "Presiding Servant," "Member of Governing Body," "Circuit minister", "District minister", ad infinitum. IF there is no "elite class," what difference would the titles make? Didn't Paul say in Galations "I am a man like you."? Even an angel in Revelation refused to accept any special recognition! But these self-important ones in the watchtower want to be sure they are introduced and revered and honored. They sure want to be sure you know their title!

3) No one benefits economically. I refer back to #1. To have free room, board, meals, transportation, medical care, travel expense, etc while LIVING IN NEW YORK CITY, is quite an economic benefit! What is the cost of rent and meals in NYC? They may get a modest stipend, but when everything is paid for that's a pretty good living! Wish I could get someone to pay my mortgage and drive me around town and feed me for free!

4) Near penniless. Hmmmm.... Anyone who would say that hasn't seen the details of some of those guy's wills and estates. but hey, all they have to do is repeat the mantra and it will be true.

5) Some say the Jehovah Witnesses are not a splinter from another group; however, even in their own literature, "Jehovah's Witnesses in the Divine Purpose","Faith on the March", and the more recent "Proclaimers of God's Kingdom," (as well as others) it is acknowledged that at one time Charles Russell (founder of the Watchtower), and Second Adventists like Jonas Wendell, George Stetson, Nelson Barbour, and William Miller preached and wrote together. Russell split from them, so how can it be said that they are not a splinter?

6) They do not claim infallibility. Well, this one would take up way too much space. But just ask, if they do not claim infallibility, why do they excommunicate anyone who disagrees or openly disputes with their leadership? If the leadership doesn't claim infallibility, why not let people have their say? If there is a chance they may be fallible (mistaken or wrong) then why not welcome alternative thinking? Are they afraid?

As for accepting any bible, ask if they will let you use the apocryphal books of the Catholic Douay or only the Talmud, or other Christian Bible that includes or excludes writings that are in the Witness Bible. They may say yes, but they won't know those books, and they won't study with you in those apocryphal writings which some churches do accept.

I wish you well in your personal journey for truth. If - as the Watchtower claims to believe - we each have to have a personal relationship with our creator, then, you do not need to filter that relationship through a set of theologies of men.

Answer 9

Those Jehova witness followers are quite pushy aren't they? A parent's job is to guide their children towards God but the decision to have faith belongs to the child.

Answer 10

Really she cant force u, because if u dont feel that religion is right for you and you dont like it you shouldnt have to stay, tell her why you dont want to go, and reasons. Because we as seperate people have our own desires and wishes of who we serve